the apt. complex that i regretfully call home is totally run-down, and i'm not sure how to get the improvements done without a backlash from management (who is infamous for vengeful tactics). the biggest problem is the swimming pool, which is directly in front of my unit. it is literally a cesspool, and an inevitable breeding ground for west nile virus. i really just need to know who, and how to contact to blow the proverbial whistle on the mis-management. anyone have suggestions?
:eek:

Have you spoken to your landlord about this? Is there anything in your lease about the pool? If your lease specifies that it's the landlord's responsibility to maintain the pool - by letting it go they may have broken the lease agreement which (in some states) would entitle you to a refund of the rent you've paid and allow you to find housing elsewhere. Find out if this applies in your state. You can find the Landlord/Tenant laws for each state fairly easily online. Let your landlord know that you're not going to let him get away with this if the situation isn't taken care of in a timely fashion (in a polite way, don't threaten them). If his negligence does in fact constitute a breach of contract, let the other tenants know. If enough tenants raise a stink about it the landlord would be foolish to ignore them. But if he does...

Take pictures of the pool and take them to your local Housing Authority office. I'm not sure that they will be able to assist you directly in having this remedied, but they should at the very least be able to point you in the right direction. If not, I'd consider taking the pictures down to your local TV news station and newspaper office. I'd also take a sample of the water and have it tested.

I used to live in Arizona, and I distinctly remember there being a big deal made of mosquitos there. I lived in Maricopa County (not sure what county your in), and I know that they were issuing citations, fines, etc. for people having "breeding grounds", and unattended water spots, etc. I found these links....you can call them, and they will take care of the problem with the landlord and leave you completely out of it!

http://www.maricopa.gov/envsvc/water/vector/westnile.asp

http://www.westnileaz.com/pdf/mosquito_admin.pdf

Good luck!

i have not spoken to the landlord, but i was told that someone had already been out to inspect it once, and that repairs needed to be made immediately, and they started to try to fix it, but then apparently they just quit, and now it is just as bad or worse than before the original inspection!! i also have a huge problem with pigeons that have decided that my roof is their favorite hang-out/nesting spot. i have been putting up with a crap-caked stairwell the entire three plus years that i have been here. :eek: