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    • Unfit Living Conditions Finally Forces Family Out Save Email Print
    Tenant says apartment had no stove, refrigerator or toilet
    Posted: 3:12 PM Jul 23, 2008
     Last Updated: 1:09 PM Jul 24, 2008
     Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com
    32 comments
    A | A | A

    A landlord is accused of leaving an Omaha family without appliances or even a toilet for three weeks. He says he did them a favor.

    This time of year, many can't wait to pull out a grill and cooler and perhaps head to the park. For the Walkers, a cooler has been serving as their refrigerator and a grill as their stove. They say their landlord misled them.

    Twenty-month-old Steven has been staying with grandma, which his parents figured was safer rather than with them. "I've literally been in tears for like two weeks because I just can't, I can't bear this,” says Amanda Walker.

    When their old apartment was sold, they needed a place immediately so they agreed to rent a unit under renovation at 25th and Jones.

    "And we gave him our $600 deposit and told him we had to move quickly. He said okay, I'll have it done on July 1st. Our problem was we had nowhere to go."

    They moved in July 1st despite what they saw. "This supposedly, is supposed to be where our sink is. We have no stove, no refrigerator anywhere in here. We have no tub, no shower and a huge hole. We had no toilet."

    She showed Channel 6 News loose wires and the wood planks that make up the bedroom floor. "They're completely rotted out." The Walkers say the landlord finally gave them a toilet on Monday so they could stop using their neighbor’s bathroom.

    The owner of these apartments, Bill Stanek, said he wasn't available to speak with us in person Wednesday, but he spoke with Channel 6 News by phone.

    He said he told the Walkers the place wouldn't be ready until August 1st, that he did them a favor by letting them move their things in early and that he didn't even know until recently that they were living in these conditions.

    He said the apartment was 90 percent done, that the rest can and would have been done by his August 1st deadline. Tired of waiting, the Walkers called a city inspector. “She told us we had to get out because this is unsuitable to live in," says Amanda.

    No arguments from the Walkers, who say they'll happily move out. They just want their money back. The Walkers must leave the apartment by 5 p.m. Thursday per the city inspector's orders.

    The Walkers say they'll probably have to rent a motel room until they find a new place and they need their deposit back to put down on another residence.

    Stanek said they'll get their deposit back if the apartment is in the same condition it was when they moved in.
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    Posted by: shanon on Jul 27, 2008 at 01:43 AM
    Amanda, you should think of a place to live before you have children.Please do not have anymore. Get a job, and home and sence of security for the son you do have.
    Posted by: Amanda on Jul 26, 2008 at 07:19 PM
    Hwllo my name is amanda walker yes this is me on tv. For all you who believe the landlord are fools. We had nowhere to go both my grandma and granpas are dead, my mother lives in north carolina. Our old apartment was sold beneath our feet and we dont have the best credit. So we looked for 30 dAYS. We saw the apartments st the first couple trys. YES we saw they were not done. We kept on looking , untill our time ran out. We kept on getting denied because of our credit. So they falied to mention this on tv but was said. WE gave him our deposit of $600.00 on June 17th 2008. We have reciepts to prove that. Its was'nt all the way done but he told us it would be donr by JULY1ST 2008 not August. When I moved in and yes he knew we where there I told him theses problems need to be taken care of ASAP. He told me it will get done, I was stupid enough to believe him. For 3 weeks I did this. I really wanted to give him some time to fix stuff. Finally he never came. So I did eveything I thought OF..
    Posted by: Lisa on Jul 25, 2008 at 09:12 AM
    I would of never moved into this mess with my baby or children.What so cps could be called not worth it but they get by with this i dont think so someone like them that lives off the state.They got kicked out of there other place because the lights were shut off and thats why they moved and why should the landlord give them there money back when he didnt no they were staying there they just want people like us to feel sorry for them well i dont they new what was up and trying to blame the landlord this is so crazy.GET JOBS
    Posted by: dude on Jul 25, 2008 at 12:00 AM
    Stanek said they'll get their deposit back if the apartment is in the same condition it was when they moved in. did anyone else find that line funny....
    Posted by: savannah on Jul 24, 2008 at 05:44 PM
    Young people today do not understand how others can take advantage of situation and manipulate the laws and policies, we are older and see this done every day! If these younger couples are at all as mentioned mentally disabled! Please those who know them, Get a guardian to help them, so they can be taught important skills! or there is great placements in the community that they can live and be supervised to live a full and happy life.
    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 at 04:14 PM
    He said/she said. They say he said it would be done July 1, he says he said it would be done Aug 1 but they could move their belongings in early. If they really thought it would be done July 1, then why did they move in and pay $600 when they say with their own eyes it wasn't done??
    Posted by: shelly on Jul 24, 2008 at 12:31 PM
    Why did Amada&Steven move in with there son and no the son was staying with them these people was kicked out of there other place because of the light beening shut off so why blame the landlord this is some crazy stuff but i no them very well this is not the first time and it want be the last they are always moving cant stay in one plcae for long .Always looking at the state to help them out well if they had Jobs it would be better off but they are to lazy see cant even keep up with the house or take care of that baby so what do you people think they are nuts.All they want is people like us to feel sorry for them but i dont they new what they were getting into so dont blame that landlord you should be a shame of your selfs
    Posted by: SST on Jul 24, 2008 at 11:15 AM
    As a former landlord I have become more sempathetic to landlords. It is very expensive to keep old buildings in liveable condition. It is also hard when the majority of tennants do not take care of your property. Many, if they are behind in rent, will trash the place and then call in city inspectors so the landlord will get fined and potentially the unit (or even the building) condemed. All while the landlord is trying desperately to fix the place up. It drove us in to bankrupcy. How fair is that? The renter should never have agreed to move in before August 1 when there were none of the necessities available. Mentally challenged or not. I do feel for the young couple, but if they are not capable of making decisions, maybe someone should be watching out for them. It sounds like the landlord thought they were moving in belongins, not themselves.
    Posted by: RM on Jul 24, 2008 at 10:18 AM
    Why would anyone in there right mind rent a place that has no plumbing fixtures. Use common sense but don't go crying about the situation you put yourself and family in.
    Posted by: Andy on Jul 24, 2008 at 09:00 AM
    Ok RJ, then why did they move in a month too soon? They were told the house would be ready on August 1st. Like I said, if you move into a house that's under reconsruction a month early, you'll be missing a few things. Also, why were they in such a hurry to find a place? Were they not given enough notice by their prior landlord to move out? If not, then why wasn't that mentioned in the story, as that would be a huge piece of information. Like I said earlier, I doubt this landlord is the best in the city, but at some point the adults have to act like adults and take responsibility for the situation they've put themselves and their family in. Either they were kicked out of their last place, or they too their sweet time to find a new one, either way they weren't being responsible adults. I know if I had a family, I would make sure I would never have to deal with slumlords. Plus 600 bucks for a deposit is a lot of money, you could get a decent apartment for a deposit like that.
    Posted by: B on Jul 24, 2008 at 08:54 AM
    I know the couple, and really I think that the slumlord saw an opportunity to make extra money and took advantage. If you knew the couple, you would understand. They are a young couple, both somewhat mentally disabled. They were trusting in someone who was willing to give them an opportunity. I think that the landlord was wrong even to consider letting someone move in with the place in that condition. It's not like he doesn't have other properties that are finished..
    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 at 01:19 AM
    He said/she said. Was there a lease?
    Posted by: shanon on Jul 24, 2008 at 01:04 AM
    To bad grandma could not have made room for all of them until they had a place to call home.I do not believe half of what they are saying. Are they that stupid to not find the right housing for themselves time and time again?
    Posted by: RJ on Jul 24, 2008 at 12:55 AM
    WOW!I am amazed of how this is being blown out of proportion. I think you should know the facts first before you make your false accusations. Why, because I know the couple, and no, they were not trying to get a month's free rent, good heavens, how you could even insinuate that. This slumlord knows he is done. His property is now condemned, which it was before and he still let tenants move in. The other tenants did not want to make any waves, because they were so happy to have a roof over their heads - and this is so SAD. People that are desparate and vulnerable and this Stanek takes advantage of this. This amounts to it is the tenants word against the Landlords word. If this couple was not telling the truth, why would they go to these extremes? I am sure you can answer this one. Think about it.How many others has this guy taken advantage of? The Landlord is saying everything he can to cover up his tracks. He knows what he is doing it is plain and simple. So, give this couple a break.
    Posted by: Mel on Jul 24, 2008 at 12:07 AM
    Both parties are in the wrong here. It is the landlord's moral resposibility to get them appliances quickly if he knew they were living there. But at the same time, the renters knew the situation when they moved in.
    Posted by: B on Jul 23, 2008 at 11:56 PM
    I'm sorry but there is no way I'd move into a place that was in that condition, let alone put a $600 dollar deposit down. I have a nice bridge for sale. It's cheap too! Only need $600 dollars down :)
    Posted by: Lori on Jul 23, 2008 at 10:20 PM
    Some of you disgruntled renters should look into the Landlord-Tenant laws. You are legally allowed to withhold rent (or a portion of it) to conduct repairs that you compain about and get no results. Obviously it doesn't pertain in this instance, but when my brother was going to college in western NE he got his landlord dead-to-rights after complaining repeatedly to replace a screen door because mice were getting in under the gap in the main door. After three complaints, he and his roommates did the necessary repairs and withheld the amount they spent on materials on the next month's rent. The landlord screamed and hollered, but shut up real fast when shown a copy of the NE landlord-tenant act. I didn't read that the place was unliveable and they were only supposed to store "stuff" there...if that's true, they have no business complaining. Why couldn't they stay with the "grandma" mentioned?
    Posted by: Andy on Jul 23, 2008 at 10:00 PM
    So let me get this straight. The landlord said the place would be ready by August 1st, yet the renters moved in a month early, and are upset that it's not liveable? How is that the landlord's fault? If a house is under construction, and you move in a month early, of course you'll be missing a few things, like sinks, toilets, and fridges. Seems to me like the renters wanted to pull a fast one on the landlord, and try to get a months free rent. Any takers on whether or not they were present at the time of the toilet installation? I'm sure the landlord they are dealing with isn't the greatest in the city, but he gave them warning that the house wasn't fit to live in. Also, were they given no prior warning by their previous landlord to move out of their previous apartment? Aren't there laws in place that make landlords give 30 days notice, unless there's a safety reason? I wish the story said why they had to find a new place so quickly. Were they kicked out, or lazy?
    Posted by: OMG on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:53 PM
    You have got to be kidding me. How embarassing for these people. Having their stupidity aired for the whole world to see? At least they were smart enough to have their baby stay in a safe place.
    Posted by: Landlord on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:13 PM
    Been there, seen that. Tenants always JUST want to move their stuff in. The landlord told them the apartment would be ready for occupancy August 01st. What did they expect! They were given proper notice by their former landlord, they shouldn't have waited till the last minute to find a place. The landlord was trying to be nice by letting them move their stuff in. He made the mistake of giving them the key.
    Posted by: DB on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:09 PM
    You know. Call me strange. But before I put down $600 to rent an apartment, I usually make sure that the apartment has a toilet.
    Posted by: Obed on Jul 23, 2008 at 08:58 PM
    When it comes to renting a future tenent should take a "Tenent Beware" approach. Sadly usually the law sides with the landlord in any dispute with a tenent. A "Truth in Leasing" law should be enacted that tenents will know what condition a property they plan to lease is in and be made aware of any prior problems with the property.Few people would knowingly rent a property that was fire or flood damaged or infested with roaches.Having a lease on a property not fit to live in should be voided immediately without penalty to the renter.
    Posted by: A on Jul 23, 2008 at 06:36 PM
    Anonymous... What the heck are you talking about? Property Owners have more right then the renters themselves, and that right includes the chance to bully their renters. I know, no only from experience but when we bought our home (a duplex) we had to get qualified to legally rent even though our home was purchased as a single family. I've seen what landlords can do legally, and it's sad. And Lesson, sorry to point out the hard fact but it's harder to get qualified to buy a home then it is to rent an apartment. And with all the things that can go wrong, Insurance dropping your homeowners due to claim, mortgage rates rising, etc for some it's just plain smarter to rent. And for those who have never been rushed due to incidents beyond your control and have had to take whatever was available, walk in their shoes then you have a right to complain. If they did not pay rent, then they have no right to complain. But that wasn't the reason they lost their home was it?
    Posted by: Lesson here on Jul 23, 2008 at 06:15 PM
    Buy, don't rent. That's a scam. Are these people fresh off the farm or what? The way things are today, you can buy a house worth twice as much as you can afford, and the government and taxpayers will bail you out! That's what I did anyway....
    Posted by: Cathy on Jul 23, 2008 at 06:07 PM
    Come on Anonymous. The Walkers didn't move in there without permission. If you think that landlord didn't know they were there, then you are a brick short of a load. He is a slumlord, end of story. He used their trouble to benefit himself. Now that he's caught, he's willing to give back the money they gave him. As for them leaving it as it was when they moved in there; they couldn't do much damage to a place like that. It already sounds like a dump.
    Posted by: A on Jul 23, 2008 at 05:51 PM
    What a slimeball. He should of never offered the place if it was not done. Shame on you!!!!!
    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 23, 2008 at 04:30 PM
    I have also had problems from people like the Walkers. They should make some kind of law to protect property owner from this kind of abuse. After all, would you like it someone moved in to your house without permision?
    Posted by: `Pat' on Jul 23, 2008 at 04:20 PM
    Do you see the `Catch 22, here? You can't get an ID(a second place to live at), without the first but different ID(the $600.00 which was the equivalent of the first place they lived at). It's obvious if you think enough about it: The first landlord shouldn't have charged $600.00 for that terribly insufficient apartment/house. He should only have charged what he thought it might cost to clean the house in case the family would mess it up. THAT! should have been the favor. Or, the favor should have been a good referral. It's so sad that people in general have a hard time finding good affordable places to live at. Many landlords & certain Government Officials are scourges when it comes to money. The Government charges landlords high taxes & landlords charge high rent! Is it renters' fault? Could be, to a point. It just takes one of the preceding three to gum-up-the-works! Low taxes, low rent, good renters; Everybody Wins! Unless, prices for clothing & food are too high! 2008!
    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 23, 2008 at 04:17 PM
    Slime ball landlord, yet they knew what they were getting into!! COME ON!!
    Posted by: jo on Jul 23, 2008 at 04:09 PM
    slumlord
    Posted by: Lori on Jul 23, 2008 at 03:54 PM
    Under no circumstance, no matter HOW desperate, would I have ever given this landlord money and definitely would I NEVER have moved my stuff into this hell-hole. Regardless of where I had to stay (friend's house, GRANDMA'S house, inexpensive motel), I would not have given this guy the opportunity to rip me off. I feel sorry for these people but as my mother's grandma always said "Haste makes waste."
    Posted by: Darren on Jul 23, 2008 at 03:29 PM
    If its in the same condition as when they moved in? It doesnt sound like it could be worse.
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