DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m currently living in a so-called “luxury” apartment that was built just last year, and I pay a significant amount of money in rent.
Unfortunately, my room is absolutely freezing, and it’s making it nearly impossible to feel comfortable in my own home.
I’ve already had maintenance come to seal the windows and walls, but that hasn’t solved the problem. I’ve had multiple meetings with management, hoping they would take responsibility and offer a solution, but they keep telling me there’s nothing they can do.
I feel like I’m being taken advantage of because this apartment is advertised as a luxury property, yet the living conditions aren’t up to standard. I’ve tried using space heaters, but that’s just driving up my electricity bill and still doesn’t solve the issue.
I don’t know what my rights are as a tenant in this situation or what steps I can take to escalate the issue further.
Is there anything I can do to hold management accountable or advocate for myself in this situation? How can I ensure I’m not stuck paying so much for a home that doesn’t meet basic living standards?
— Too Cold
DEAR TOO COLD: It’s time to engage your local government. Call 311 to report the lack of heat. Provide all of the details that you can, including any promises management has made.
Talk to other tenants to find out if you are the only one having this issue, or if others are also suffering. The more people you can get to complain, the better chance you have of getting results.
DEAR HARRIETTE: This letter is a reply to “Weed Invasion,” the writer whose husband smokes a lot of weed:
It’s not that weed isn’t addictive; it’s that it isn’t medically addictive.
The guy is probably depressed and using weed as a crutch, or he’s a jerk who doesn’t respect his partner.
Some people use food as a crutch, which is similarly not addictive but can be the symptom of another issue.
— Issue Not Addiction
DEAR ISSUE NOT ADDICTION: Thank you for your response. Without question, the man who feels compelled to smoke weed from sunup to sundown is dealing with some kind of issue. Many would argue that this is not healthy behavior.
There are differing views in the medical community about whether marijuana is addictive. The American Addiction Centers, as well as any number of medical professionals, believe that marijuana can be addictive. The AAC says: “Marijuana (cannabis) can be problematic for some individuals who use it. Despite relatively widespread perceptions that would suggest otherwise, frequent marijuana use is associated with the development of physiological dependence, a distinct withdrawal syndrome and addiction. About 14.2 million people aged 12 or older struggled with marijuana addiction in 2020.”
Regardless of the label, excessive use of this drug or any other is not advisable.
It can be extremely difficult to stop smoking if it is a habit that one has formed. If you are struggling, please get help. Many addiction programs can support you, including Marijuana Anonymous.
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.