The heat is on (off)
Dealing with my arch nemesis, Bill
The heat. It’s out.
Well, not totally out. But it’s not working properly.
It’s janky. But not in a stop-start way. In a way that it blows and blows but all it’s blowing is air and the air isn’t hot.
So the temperature inside our home is low. But our energy bill is high. Because the heater is over-working. But it’s not working smart, only hard.
Are you sure?
That’s what Bill said to me after I texted him. He’s our maintenance guy. He lives in one of the apartments upstairs and gets a good deal on rent from the landlord to do the maintenance work.
But he doesn’t do the work. In fact, I’d argue he’s allergic to the work.
We have a wooden back gate that’s rotten and breaking away from the wall. And sliding screen doors that don’t slide. And kitchen cabinets that are indeed in the kitchen but without cabinets.
These are all things that Bill is meant to help us fix. His name is displayed proudly on the lease agreement saying as such.
“Emergency and general maintenance - BILL ____”
But I guess he’s got a case of the lazies because he just pockets the cheap rent and deflects any responsibility.
These are the kinda people I despise.
I was raised with the mantra that if you’re going to do a job, you do it well. That’s an honest way to earn and an honest way to live.
To me, that’s the only way to live.
Others look for shortcuts. Opportunities to game the system in their favor.
Bill’s one of those people.
It’s the supply chain, Bill said via text.
But our bill’s really expensive, Bill, I pleaded.
He didn’t reply.
I remember when we moved in we met our neighbor, Lamont. Big fella. Boisterous. Always on the phone. Friendly and warm. I love the bloke.
He forewarned us on the very first day we were unpacking the truck. He had a wry smile and a knowing look in his eye.
Then he said: Just don’t let these f*ckers get the better of you. They liars.
Another neighbor said their apartment flooded and Bill didn’t respond for three days. They shared some tips for dealing with cheap landlords and working with Bill. For the latter, their main advice was to avoid him.
Useless, I believe is what she called him.
Our landlord is ancient. I haven’t seen him but Mel has. He came over to measure the kitchen cabinets one time and needed help down the stairs (there are only three).
Frail and creaky is what she described him as.
He owns the building and there are eight apartments in the building so he’s done alright. He probably owns other property, too. But I can’t help but think if he’s so old and shaky, what if he dies soon, and then who will take over as landlord?
The apartments are old and they need work so maybe the new landlord would invest a little money into some renovations.
If they did, I hope they start with our heating system.