A Tenant's Dilemma

To the Editor:

There is a problem which I would like to communicate to you which I believe will be of interest to tenants living in Harvard-owned buildings. I am a tenant who has lived at 95 Prescott St. since October 1974, at which time the 85 and 95 Prescott St. apartments were owned by Mr. Harry Gilbert. Some time in 1979/1980 these two buildings were bought and are now managed by Harvard Real Estate.

For the past two years, I have had problems with the janitor assigned to provide services to us, viz. refusal to work and deliberate delays, which I may characterize stems from arrogance. Most tenants who have similar problems do not submit a written complaint. However, I have made several verbal complaints and +++ some in writing.

In my opinion, any explanation given by the authorities cannot be deemed plausible unless they take an impartial and objective stand on tenants' rights.

I believe one way of assessing problems is through questionnaires sent periodically to tenants to evaluate the performance and conduct of their janitors. No tenant should have to tolerate the presence of a janitor who is unwilling to work for him/her. I have learned that there are tenants in other buildings who are dissatisfied with this janitor. We should not be compelled to solve our problems through Tenants' Unions.

Nevertheless, President Ronald Reagan has assured us that 'we have the right to freedom of speech and assembly' in this country. Iona Jones (Asian-Indian)