landlord issues
I have been living in my rental for almost five years. I haven’t had a lease for the past two because, when I renegotiated my rent, my landlord never provided one. I tried to get one, trust me, I tried. My landlord is from Guyana so I respect that there are cultural differences. However, I’m…
I have been living in my rental for almost five years. I haven’t had a lease for the past two because, when I renegotiated my rent, my landlord never provided one. I tried to get one, trust me, I tried.
My landlord is from Guyana so I respect that there are cultural differences. However, I’m at my wit’s end.
– he doesn’t come to make repairs when he says he will
– when he does come to make repairs, it’s usually unscheduled
– he uses his brother-in-law for repairs and has said that the man can’t be in my apartment alone because he steals
– we have had to deal with no heat off and on all winter because his electrician doesn’t have a cell and the landlord has admitted he has no clue how to work the boiler
– what repairs are done are shoddy and ugly so I pick my battles when it comes to fixing things in my apartment
I have tried bringing these issues, and many many more to his attention but they fall on deaf ears. The other tenants just accepts this so I’m the only one standing up for myself.
I’ve kept thorough written records and pictures to cover my butt. I’ve submitted two anonymous no heat requests (there are only four apartments in the building so I didn’t want to call myself out) to 311.
Is there anything else that I can do? Or is it time for me to accept that I unfortunately have a crappy landlord and either deal or move?
Thanks to everyone for their input, suggestions, etc. It has really helped me to not only continue to gain perspective but to start thinking about the pros/cons of moving and when I would be able to do so.
I am currently living in a two-bedroom for $1200. After my boyfriend moved out, I carefully budgeted and have been able to afford this on my own but that’s the peak of affordability for me.
I have two cats. I’m neat, quiet, will always pay my rent on time, and don’t mind doing a bit of extra help around the place. I’m a big fan of gardening so would love to help if you have one, or are considering starting one.
While I would prefer to move into another two-bedroom, I understand that my price range will most likely only get me one and I’m ok with that if the space is right. I would be looking for a place within walking distance to the subway, the park, and grocery.
If anyone wants to contact me off-line, you can reach me at huff13puff@yahoo.com.
Yes, sounds like a deadbeat landlord who is not going to change. I have a neighbor in Clinton Hill who is looking for a tenant for a lovely garden floor-through apt. I will tell him to check in here and give you a contact number.
“Cultural Differences” usually means he likes cricket, you baseball, he – curried goat, you – a rare steak. I assume you pay him american currency.
I don’t know what his country of origin has do with him not making repairs and being a decent Landlord.
Move – you don’t have a lease – move – in this market you may get comparable, even better apts sans the slumlord – move -there are a lot of “no fee” apts out there – move – time it just right to your rents don’t overlap – move – if you’re gonna have issues with your security now, you always will – move, hire two men and a van or get your friends to help – MOVE.
A lot of landlords are okay with cats, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding an apartment. I don’t get why more landlords aren’t okay with cats, if they’re spayed or neutered (which they should be anyway) they’re quiet, if they have a well maintained litterbox they’re clean. But their biggest attraction is that mice hate them and move out when the cat moves in, two cats will send rats running too.
I see Tsarina got in before me….also my apartment is not available until around mid-April – bright top floor, soon to be renovated after present tenants move out (March 14). If still interested my email is kellyk437@yahoo.com. Pet allowed also. Best of luck.
K
Dear Kelly, I’m got a beautiful apartment I’m renovating and I allow pets, We’re over in Crown Heights on a beautiful block. Email and we can set up a viewing. goddaiva@gmail.com
Kelly- sorry, I don’t have any more info but I’m sure you can easily find out. Good luck with everything! Cats, huh? A person after my own heart!
Thank you to everyone. You’ve helped give me some hope as I think I’ve just been too close to this situation for too long and, therefore, assumed I was more stuck than I actually am.
Credit is good and I have a steady job. One glitch might be that I have two cats but I managed to find this place so I’m sure I’ll be able to find another that accepts pets.
This is not a rent controlled apartment and I’m definitely month-to-month. I paid security when I moved in, almost five years ago.
I realize thirty-days notice is standard but must admit that there’s a petulant part of me that feels that, since I never got notice from him (when coming for repairs or just showing up to “check on things”), he doesn’t deserve notice from me. However, I will be the bigger person and do all above board.
You got some good advice here. You are living scared. That is no good, paying rent and not getting much for it. The deal is that you pay your rent and he provides services. What you describe is a landlord who isn’t providing services. First, realize that it is a soft rental market. Part of the fallout of the housing crisis is that a lot of condos never got sold and are on the market as rentals. Landlords cannot afford to be idiots becuase there are plenty of alternatives for good tenants. You can use your security for last month and you should start looking into alternatives.