Tenant In Ant Infested House Cries Out That Landlord Built House On Soak-Away.

THIS IS SO WRONG - If you read this story and can help,please do not hesitate to do so ASAP!

Dear SDK, 

I have heard stories of all sorts about how callous, wicked, inhumane, greedy (i can go on and on) Landlords can be but this one takes the cake. I happened to go on a house search sometime in march and finally got an apartment, a room self contained in XYZ (name withheld) met the landlord, paid the rent and moved in. 

It was a just completed apartment and i was glad because i was going to be the first occupant. Someone once told me that in Lagos and i suppose anywhere else, the only time you know the true strength, durability and quality of a house is during raining season.  

Hmmmmm , in less than a month’s stay in the house i noticed there were so many ants inside the room, it was quite strange to me because they were/are a whole lot and can be very very annoying....on the walls, on the bed, inside the wardrobe, tiny ants everywhere. 

As if it was not enough, i noticed that the decking started collating water and forming moles. Very annoying brownish green coloured patches started appearing on the decking making the entire room damp. I called the attention of the landlord when i noticed just a patch, he kept saying he will do it, he will do it until the thing spread all over my ceiling and the walls. This landlord isn’t in good terms with any of the tenants in the compound; they call him all sorts of names and never miss any opportunity to abuse him. 

On this particular day, i was washing by the tap outside and two of the tenants were talking, the next thing i heard was...”Na this new girl i pity (referring to me) she no know say na on top shit she dey. Na on top soak-away she dey na, house wey  no get  foundation, i swear this man wicked (referring to the landlord). When i heard that statement, my head went numb in split seconds, my room on top of a soak-away?? 

They said it like three times repeating it confidently so it will sink into my ears. I immediately rinsed my hands and went to see the landlord, i told him what i heard and asked if it was true and he denied it. I actually noticed the uncomfortable look on his face but himself and his wife made light of the situation by saying i shouldn’t listen to whatever the tenants say, that they just want to succeed in poisoning my mind against them.

 That explanation didn’t make any sense to me but i decided to pretend to buy the story but keep my ears to the ground and do my own investigations. 

Stella, two days ago, the landlord asked a bricklayer to come and break the kitchen wall and fix a second window because there is very poor ventilation in the kitchen. As the guy was working, i just asked him what i could use to get rid of the ants that had became a menace, he looked at me and just shook his head, like there was something he wanted to say. 

I asked him what the matter was and he told me, “Aunty, na on top soak-away you dey oh, na me do the plastering for this house, all of us wey dey work here tell the landlord say this thing wey he dey do no good, say why he go build on top soak-away but the man say na so he want am, say e no concern us, in fact he quarrel with all the people wey dey work for am because he no dey like make person tell am the truth”. 

Jesus Christ!!!! 

What?? 

The blood rushed to my face instantly. That same night, i confronted himself and his wife and of course they tried to use reverse psychology. 

This is a house i paid 400k for, please is it fair? Isn’t it a crime against human rights? Isn’t it a punishable offence to build a house without proper foundation? 

Is it right to build a house on a soak-away? This is rainy season for God’s sake, what if the house caves in? Isn’t this the meanest thing a human being can do to another? 

Is it fair for one to pay so much only for her life to be in danger? I want a refund of my money to the last kobo and i have told him but i also want advice's from BVNs, do you think i should involve the press? Ministry of environment?  I’m really pained and i feel cheated.

                                                               

Kind regards,

ANONYMOUS

Her email address is spizycynth@yahoo.com

Please if you have a number that she can call within the Ministry of Environment or any other appropriate body,please leave details in comment section or mail her privately..leaving details in comments section might come in handy for others going through same...this is horrible.

My dear,please move out of that place Temporarily cos you are breeding sickness that will have no name....