Tuesday, June 19, 2012

221 South New Jersey Ave Lake Hopatcong NJ **WARNING**

This is a warning to all who may be considering renting the property located at 221 S. New Jersey Avenue, Lake Hopatcong, NJ
BEWARE OF THIS LANDLORD AND HIDDEN COSTS AND DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH LIVING AT THIS ADDRESS
When we moved in a year ago we were taken by the apparent cute nature and gorgeous views associated with this house. What we did not know or see...nor were we told...were the insurmountable costs we would endure heating this house during the winter months. Over $4,000 in heat costs! This includes the cost of oil (for the forced air heat), propane (for your hot water), electric heaters (needed as supplemental heat in the extremities of the house), and wood for the fireplace (which could not be effectively used because it will not vent properly and so the house fills with smoke when used). The most frightening part to this tale is that we barely got a winter last year!....what would the costs have been if the winter were more severe?
The house is NOT insulated and so WILL NOT hold heat. There is no rear entry (weatherproof) door. Just a screen door, a flimsy storm door, and a pair of old french doors all of which are anything but weatherproof. The pipes in the kitchen will literally freeze unless you leave your kitchen cabinet doors open all winter to allow heat to get inside!
The exterior walkways and stairs are extremely old and in extremely poor condition. One stair literally crumbled under my wife’s foot as she was carrying our 3 month old son. Fortunately she maintained her balance. A large puddle will form on the walkway leading to the rear house (there are 2 on the property) every time it rains. This is annoying in the summer and extremely DANGEROUS in winter when that large puddle begins to freeze and you have no choice but to cross it with fingers crossed. Many of the stairs, walkways, and retaining walls are at best safety hazzards and more accurate unusable except at your own risk.
The Halloween snow storm we experienced here took down tree limbs and power lines. One tree limb which broke but never fell hangs ominously over the house and the power lines which fell are still laying on the lawn....it is now June of the following year!! The yard is to be maintained by the landlord...the last maintenance done was on MOTHERS DAY, today is June 18th and we have not seen the lawn mowed since.
When we tried to bring these things to the attention of this landlord we were ignored and told (an I quote)...."fine" What does that even mean?? It means this landlord can’t be bothered being a landlord. They DO expect the rent each month but do not give any priority to the safety or happiness of the tenant’s who live here. Combined with the unreal hidden costs which must be ADDED to your rent payment anyone considering renting this house is now officially WARNED!