EL PASO, Texas– The Borderland has seen a record-breaking eight consecutive days of rain.
For some renters, this has caused trouble as they deal with apartment repairs.
Don Parker, the renter of a central El Paso apartment complex, said he had had issues with his roof for some time, but with the recent rains, it’s worse.
Parker said after several filed complaints and the smell of mold filling his home, he has even considered going elsewhere for the night, like a hotel.
“I don’t even know what to do, I feel very trapped in a corner. I feel… What am I going to do, I can’t afford a hotel tonight, and I’m going to have to put a bucket there,” said Parker.
His neighbor, in an even worse situation, is also dealing with leaks coming from several parts of his apartment.
“Our complex is just not ready for rain right now, and it’s coming down more and more, so it’s just going to get worse,” said Parker.
Owners of the complex said their complaints had not been overlooked.
“We have been working with a roofer and his schedule to put us in line for repairs or replacements depending on the condition of each roof. Due to the extreme rainfall we have had, and the shortage of workers and material it is setting back the time of when the roofer can do the job. We apologize for any inconvenience this is causing,” said owner, Oscar Andrade Jr.
Meanwhile, the El Paso Apartment Association gives tips on some options for renters to consider.
The association recommends reading over your renters rights and following the steps to notify management.
“You can go again to the Texas attorney general website and it gives you step by step instructions on how to submit a certified letter to your landlord. What the resident is doing is building a receipts that they have tried to communicate with the manager about the repairs,” said Lorena Martinez, El Paso Apartment Association Communications.
Another option to consider is getting renters insurance to protect your belongings during this time.
For more information on renters insurance you can click here.
Alice J. Roden started working for Trending Insurance News at the end of 2021. Alice grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. A writer with a vast insurance industry background Alice has help with several of the biggest insurance companies. Before joining Trending Insurance News, Alice briefly worked as a freelance journalist for several radio stations. She covers home, renters and other property insurance stories.