Legion

If you think the path to riches is through Section 8 tenants, you are who you accuse others of being.

Posted by: ribant4 at March 11, 2009 10:31 PM in response to House of the Day: 1182 Bushwick Avenue

Babs

I'm sorry but you are just wrong. A lease only protects the tenant, not the LL.

I only rent month to month, when an apt becomes vacant it only takes me about two weeks to get a unit rented via a Craigslist ad. Demand is so high in Boerum Hill that getting good prospects is never a problem. I always get 2 months security so I never worry about a tenant skipping on me. And I do my own credit checks so I know whom I am renting to.

You are giving a prime example of why I never use a broker. Too much bad advice.

Posted by: ribant4 at February 27, 2009 4:14 PM in response to Renegotiating with Landlord?

So if I understand this right you do not have to vent an electric dryer, correct?

Posted by: ribant4 at February 13, 2009 3:54 PM in response to Dryer Venting Outside

Your story seems really strange to me. I'm a LL of a similar building and always let the SO move in. Even if it means a 2 bedroom apt is occupied by three people for awhile the couple always moves out in about six months. Still you should have said something first just out of courtesy.

Also keep in mind not all small LL's really know what they are doing

Posted by: ribant4 at February 10, 2009 9:56 PM in response to Right to Sublet?

Another question. Do you already have a room mate? He may not weant a third person in the unit.

Also he may be concerned about him staying and you going. He may be concerned about alot of other things as well. Did you ask him first, or did you just do it.

Posted by: ribant4 at February 10, 2009 5:03 PM in response to Right to Sublet?

Does your landlord dislike your boyfriend? Seriously, I have never heard of a LL balking like that when an SO moves in.

Besides that as a month to month renter you do have the right to 30 days notice for rent hikes and evicts.

Posted by: ribant4 at February 10, 2009 4:56 PM in response to Right to Sublet?

Still getting it

Posted by: ribant4 at October 23, 2008 12:17 PM in response to Adobe/Google Pop-Problem Fixed?

Mopar,

If I may jump in and give my 2 cents on your questions to slopefarm

As a LL I like when someone carefully inspects and asks questions about the unit, building, and myself as a landlord/handyman. It means they are making a careful decision and will be satisfyed when they move in. But a prospect who:

Is aggresive
Announces the great ways he is going to modify the apartment
Offers to babysit my kids or wants to be my new BF
Has a "I'm the greatest tenant alive, you are lucky if you get me" attitude
Negotiates the rent or pushes for concessions

Is dinged.

Demand in Brownstone Bklyn is great enough that if you are fairly priced your apt. will rent to a good tenant in a few days.

Never rent to someone who is not here legally, on any type of visa, or with an embassy. If they don't pay the rent or cause damage you will never collect the debt. Either their money is across a border where you won't be able to touch it, or diplomnaticly immune. If you think a person representing a foreign gov't will be sure to pay debts you are very wrong. I have friends who made that mistake.

Ribant

Posted by: ribant4 at October 21, 2008 3:01 PM in response to Landlord credit/reference check

Slopefarm

I agree with you, the best thing about showing an aprtment yourself is getting a feel for the prospective renter

But in my opinion you are taking an unneccasry risk by not running your own credit reports. There are a lot of scammers out there and I think it is a good idea to cover yourself just in case.

Posted by: ribant4 at October 21, 2008 9:51 AM in response to Landlord credit/reference check

Cobblekill

None of the supposed advice thus posted is really that helpful, and you cannot legally go directly into any of the big three reporting agencies directly to run a credit report.

You must use a front end vendor like Tenant Verification Service (www.tvs.com) to run credit check for you. Also you need to have them, or any other group that puts a credit report into your hands do a site inspection to make sure the report will be safe from theft. A locking file cabinet in a home office with a lock on it's door qualifies. This will take about a week, so plan ahead.

In my experience past credit history is the greatest indicator of the future payment history.

Posted by: ribant4 at October 20, 2008 6:13 PM in response to Landlord credit/reference check

yeah still have it this morning. as someone else mentioned it's really really strange that this is the only thread that pop up doesnt come up.

-rob

Posted by: PitbullNYC at October 24, 2008 9:57 AM in response to Adobe/Google Pop-Problem Fixed?

Still getting the Adobe pop-up with IE....

Posted by: bookgrlny at October 27, 2008 3:04 PM in response to Adobe/Google Pop-Problem Fixed?

Another question. Do you already have a room mate? He may not weant a third person in the unit.

Also he may be concerned about him staying and you going. He may be concerned about alot of other things as well. Did you ask him first, or did you just do it.

Posted by: ribant4 at February 10, 2009 5:03 PM in response to Right to Sublet?

nah, he pretty much lives here now (he's already in the neighborhood), and I live alone in a pretty sizable 1.5 bdrm. We're quiet, and don't bother him with repairs, etc, just take care of those things myself. I'm particularly annoyed that I wasn't given a lease from the outset, because legally, if I had a lease, I'm allowed to have a SO or relative move in without the terms of hte lease changing. Also, its crazy 'cause a couple lived in the apt before me! I think he sees it as, well, two people live there now, so you can pay more.

Posted by: ms_boerum at February 10, 2009 5:27 PM in response to Right to Sublet?

Your story seems really strange to me. I'm a LL of a similar building and always let the SO move in. Even if it means a 2 bedroom apt is occupied by three people for awhile the couple always moves out in about six months. Still you should have said something first just out of courtesy.

Also keep in mind not all small LL's really know what they are doing

Posted by: ribant4 at February 10, 2009 9:56 PM in response to Right to Sublet?

Shop around for a better deal. Rents are going down way down! If you are getting a rent increase in these times and stressing over it then you are really a sadist. Do you really want to live in a home with a dictator landlord? It is a renters market get your bunns out the door and look around.

Posted by: hannible at February 11, 2009 8:48 AM in response to Right to Sublet?

verovee
I'm pretty sure there's a law (maybe only for stabilized tenants?) that your landlord has to let you out of your lease if you find a "reasonable" replacement willing to take over the lease and s/he rejects them. It wouldn't be a "sublet" -- they'd sign a new lease.

The law has a lot to say about reasons a landlord can (or mostly can't) turn down a prospective tenant.

-Amanda

Posted by: serpentor at February 12, 2009 2:36 PM in response to Right to Sublet?

You've just been lucky, ribrant, and I hope your luck holds out. I've dealt with too many situations in which manipulative tenants used the lack of any paper document to prove anything to take advantage of their landlords. In the old days month to month was standard because people generally trusted each other. Nowadays, it's often not the case. You sound like someone who is able to get a good take on people and know which ones are trustworthy -- I hope that continues for you, because one bad experience can burn you for life.

Posted by: babs at February 27, 2009 4:52 PM in response to Renegotiating with Landlord?

You are getting some bad advice - you do not hold the cards here and I seriously doubt the LL will take a 50% reduction in rent in perpetuity. Frankly you can't just walk away from the apartment - you are legally liable for the full term of the lease - and while Landlord Tenant Court may not evict, even if you never pay your rent - getting a civil judgement against you for the remainder of the lease term is relatively easy - especially since a collection agency will likely handle it all for a %. Not to mention that any LL/Tenant Court action (or civil judgement) will show up on checks by future LL's and you'll be blackballed from all but the worst run buildings.

You should just tell the LL what you can afford for now, and see what he says - if he has a higher number in mind (likely) ask him if he'd take the amount you can afford if you can bring him a qualified applicant at his agreed rent before the lease expires. This he may agree to because the lost rent after you move can build quick. Then work your ass off finding someone for the spot.

The reality is - you signed a contract; a non-contingent contract at that....therefore any negotiation the LL does is simply out of the goodness of his heart and/or to avoid the hassle and potential loss of chasing you for the $. Do not try to negotiate under some misguided notion that you are doing him a favor, or that it is a renters market, or that you are in a strong negotiating position - all are not true or relevant to your position.

Be humble and recognize that YOU are trying to break a contract that YOU freely and voluntarily signed - while often times (like other small business owners) a LL will see the humanity in the situation and try to work things out with you - the LL has every right to collect on the contract (think about it - does Con Ed let you off the hook if you dont pay the bill due to unemployment? - or do they just shut off your electric?)

Posted by: fsrg at February 27, 2009 5:09 PM in response to Renegotiating with Landlord?

Anyone know a good collection agency?

Posted by: slick at February 27, 2009 9:28 PM in response to Renegotiating with Landlord?