Hi all,
So my current situation is that I have been renting a small apartment for the last three or so years. It's conveniently located and not too expensive. Unfortunately, the condition of the apartment in a couple of key areas has deteriorated since I moved in, due in part to the shoddy plumbing.
I have contacted the RE agent previously to repair these, but as the agent hasn't indicated that these would be repaired, I have put up with the issues (because moving has it's own issues as detailed below). I noticed today that some of the issues have continued to deteriorate to the point where, for example, one of the kitchen cupboards is now unsanitary. When I took the toaster out this morning I noticed small white insects on it (it's now in the bin). I've emailed the agent and advised them of this, and I'll take photos. If I get no response, I'll call the office.
Now in most normal situations I'd probably just up and move (some of it might require significant repairs), but I have been hesitating because I have been planning on buying a place in the not too distant future, and didn't want to sign another 12 month lease when I'd likely buy a place well before then (i've got enough saved now to get a mortgage).
I guess, my choices are:
1) Continually contact the agent requesting these issues be fixed. Problem with that is that they might not be able to fix these issues with me continuing to live in the place (so I'd have to move anyway), and if those white insects happen to be termites, then there's going to be bigger issues that affect the whole apartment building.
2) Put in place plans to buy a place ASAP, and look to buy and settle quickly. The risk is then that I'll spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in a rushed decision and might regret it down the track.
3) Find another rental and move ASAP. This would quite likely mean I'm locked into a 12 month lease, and have to move twice (once to the new rental, and another time to where I end up buying). One small advantage of this though is being able to rent where I'm considering buying. I'd have more luck finding somewhere that's open to shorter-term tenancies going back to share houses, but I'd rather not do that. I could break a lease part way through but there's penalties for doing so.
4) Move back to my parents' place while putting into place option #2. I'm sure they'd probably be OK with it for a couple of months, but they live a very long way from my work (1.5-2 hours each way) so I'd be doing a lot of commuting (including on weekends to play sport). I've lived out of home long enough that moving back would be a pretty major adjustment. I'd also have to pay for storage of my stuff :)
5) Put up with it. I've been doing this for long enough but I'd rather not continue doing so if it's unsanitary.
What does everyone think? Should I move now or hold off?
NOTE: I'll probably delete this thread eventually :)