After the Fire: ICU, No Access to Storage, Respite Life

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Hi everyone,
I wanted to share what’s been happening because a lot has gone on all at once.

Fire and ICU Stay
Earlier this year, there was a fire in my building. I was taken to the ICU afterward because of breathing problems from the smoke. I was put on a breathing tube for a while and then on oxygen. I remember the machines and alarms and not being able to talk at first. After some time, they removed the tube and I started breathing on my own again. I stayed in the hospital a bit longer until I was stable enough to leave.

Landlord, Lease, and Storage Problems
After I got out, all of my belongings were put into storage. The landlord and management still won’t let us get the stuff. Everything I own is in there, and I haven’t been able to get it back. The lease is in my grandmother’s name, and that’s made everything even more complicated. The landlord has not been cooperative or understanding about the situation.

Respite Housing
Right now, I’m in respite housing while everything is being worked out. It’s temporary, but I’m doing my best to manage day by day. Not having access to my belongings and not having a clear answer about the lease has made things very stressful.

My Grandmother
My grandmother, who was born in 1928, is now in a nursing home. She’s very fragile physically but still competent and aware of who I am. She still talks a little on her alert days, and sometimes she says something that reminds me of her old self. I visit her
Coping and Recovery
Between the fire, being in the ICU, the breathing tube, the lease being in my grandmother’s name, the landlord refusing to let us get our belongings, staying in respite housing, and helping care for my grandmother, it’s been a lot to handle. I’m trying to take one day at a time and keep myself focused on recovery.

Physically, I’m doing better now, even if I still get tired. Emotionally, it’s been hard, but I’m proud that I’ve kept going through everything.

If anyone here has gone through something sudden like a fire, hospital stay, lease or landlord problems, or caring for a loved one in a nursing home, you’re not alone.

Thank you for reading and for being a place where I can share honestly.

— Jennifer

Some of my earlier threads:
viewtopic.php?t=224303
viewtopic.php?t=221726
viewtopic.php?t=229512
viewtopic.php?t=244038
viewtopic.php?t=246252
viewtopic.php?t=244267
viewtopic.php?t=246688
viewtopic.php?t=250385

What reason does the landlord give to not let you have access to your property?

Hi there...

I just wanted to let you know I read everything you wrote and I hope you will regain your health and your situation will improve ... it sounds like you're dealing with a lot.

All the best

Please feel better , I hope you can get your stuff soon.

I'm sorry your going through all that. It must be very stressful. I hope things start improving real soon. A Landlord putting a tenant's stuff in storage without allowing them access might be considered property theft. Of coarse going to the police, taking legal action, or majorly complaining to the landlord can put you on the landlord's extremely problematic tenant's list so it might be a lot harder or impossible to renew your lease. A landlord making things that difficult after a fire might be the landlord's way of trying to force tenant's out. Some areas have a lot more protection for renter's than other areas. There might be some assistance or disability rights groups that could help you obtain your stuff & find you a more stable housing but you have a lot on your plate right now without doing research & reaching out so I'm just tossing the idea out there.

I'm very sorry you're experiencing this, Jennifer.

It sounds extremely stressful.

Please take care of yourself.

Best wishes.

If the landlord is nervous about releasing stuff to you because they're not sure it's yours, since you are not who they have a contract with, can your grandmother vouch for you?