Category: Safe Haven
Hey this is stephen Owen from chattanooga Tennessee, I am moving in to my new apartment in goodletsville Tennessee, And I like it so far, But what do you think about an apartment that has drop offs with no railing? On the floor I am on, theirs like 15th foot drop off with no railing, And that is not safe! I told the manneger about it, and she said that they might look in to getting rails put around the drop offs, And that would be nice if they could. What do you think about this issue? especialy if theirs a blind person living their?
HI steven. i think that's a saftely problam. it would not be safe. hugs.
What made you decide to settle in Goodletsville? have you got a job offer? Is there sidewalks and good transportation? The reason I'm asking is because I don't live all that far away from there. I'm in Nashville, in a highrise, and it's on two major bus lines, and there's a van service within the county. These apartments are pretty nice, especially for subsidized housing. we've got built in microwaves and dishwashers, a full sized stove and refridgurator and central heating and air. As far as the lack of rails on your balcony, no, that's totally not safe.
well, I basicly new some one their, and Ithought It would be in a good aria, But I can still get accessride! I was looking for a highrize building! So how mutch do you pay a month? I might look at your building after my six month leice is up in this one!
That would be great, since you'll need to apply in person.
I ppay 257 a month, but if you're on maximum SSI, it'll be about 192 or so, all utilities included. i'm in the parthenon towers. If you want to get in, start on it pretty soon. It can take a few months.
I thought it was against the law not to have rails at the edges of balconies, and not just because of blind people, just for the record. anybody could fall off. Personally, I'd say if they're telling you they may look into this issue, rather than being on it already, I wouldn't give them my business. If you must live there, maybe see if they could put down a mat or something in front of the drop off so you can have plenty of warning, preferably something other tennants can't move. They should at least do that much.
Most of the apartment managers I've delt with always responded with "I'll look into that." and guess what? They never did. And I also thought it was illegal for them not to have rails of some sort surrounding big drop offs like that; and honestly, using a cane has never made walking down stares with no rails much safer for me.
Wait, now that I've just looked back at Jess's post, are you talking about stares, balconies, or both? lol
I am talking about falling from one level of a building to another. and this is outside!
No railings is extremely unsafe, and, as Ocean Dream said, not just because you're blind. Any sighted person could fall from those stairs. It does sound like something illegal, though of course I'm not sure of that. If not illegal, it is definitely a lawsuit waiting to happen. The second anyone falls because there are no railings, they'd have every right to take the complex to court, especially if they had spoken up about it first. I don't like that we live in a society that is so lawsuit happy, but in this case, I think it would be warranted if an accident occurred. I'd say it would be in the complex's own interest to put a railing up there.
I understand, But How am I going to take the trash out, with out stepping off the edge? And what should I do if they don't put anything up over that drop off? I'm wondering if I should go and even stay at my place because of this issue, befcause I have some of my things in their all reedy.
It probably isn't the safest thing to have to deal with. You had better pay close attention to your cane when you go to take the trash out.
I'm wondering if I made a mestake by getting into this place? I mean I didn't see this building when I came to viset back in december.
If I were you, I would find a safer apartment building if possible, especially if everything the mannager says he/she would take care of hasn't been delt with by this time.
Exactly. it's a safety issue. If they can't figure that out, they don't need your business.
By the way, I was talking about drop offs, not stairs, although stairs really should have railings on each side as well.
you really should find a different place. next time, I'd advise you actually look at the place to see what you're getting into before deciding to move in.
well I did, and when I went up their to look at that place back in december, It felt right, But what I can't figure out, is whye they didn't let me see this building that I was going to be movinginto, and whye they didn't tell me about these drops off, or steps that don't have hand rails.
I believe it is a law that steps that have a drop that large must have rails. Callyour city and county and see if they have a mediation department for renters. The railings have probably broken and have not been replaced. Seems like you could get out of the lease for that and move, or get railings installed. It is not a blind safety issue, but a people safety issue. Any sighted person walking and talking might not be watching and step off. Check your rights.
Agree with Wayne; any sighted friend or family member of mine would probably be more likely to step off of drop offs like that than I would. :p
Consider all these young fools with pants down below their ass walking, or running, and simultaneously texting / posting to Facebook. It's these lmfao-textin' fools would be more likely to fall off an edge like this, not the blind or the elderly.
Yah, Your right! Well I am going to give them about 6 months to fix this, But if they don't, then I wil live and find another place.
it's your choice, but in my opinion, you're only wasting your time by waiting.
I agree. Rails take about 1 hour to install and just think you might save a Twitterer from having to tweet "I just feel off a drop." Smile seriously don't delay. You pay rent and it's not safe. Complain about it.
I completely agree with the last two posters. Waiting is what they want you to do. Don't let them get away with it.
I would complain, and complain, and nag, and nag! Don't let up until they do something about it, and if they don't, report them to your county! It's totally illegal and unsafe!
I agree with everyone basically, yeah...... and maybe you need to move in to the downtown part of nashville?