Months to repair
Our building is rent controlled and was recently bought by new owners. The elevator in the building stopped working and management told us it will likely be MONTHS before it’s fixed because instead of repairing it they want to fully modernize/replace it. It’s an old that has been breaking down quite often so I think they are tired of bringing a company to fix it every other week.
We’re on the 3rd floor with a baby, stroller, groceries, etc. and they basically told everyone to just use the stairs indefinitely. Being on the 3rd floor is not the worst but I would be scared to go down the narrow stairs with my baby in one hand or in front of me in a baby carrier. Forget it if I need to get groceries, he is too young to be left alone so I basically can’t leave the apartment without my partner with me to help with the logistics of that.
They’re suggesting using one of the apartments as storage for the construction project.
Is this actually allowed in San Francisco? I understand elevators break, but months without one in a multi-story building seems insane to me, especially in a rent controlled building where elevator access has always been part of living here.
Has anyone dealt with this before? Did tenants get rent reductions or any kind of accommodations? Trying to figure out whether this is normal or if we should be pushing back harder.