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?
I presume this is not a rent controlled apt. You are on a month-to-month agreement. Does he have last month’s rent as well as a security deposit? If not, give him 30 days written notice and tell him to use the security as last month’s rent. Make sure you give notice on or before the 1st of the month you plan to move.
Kelly1013 – given the weak rental market I would think your moving costs might not be as bad as you think. Many landlords are offering the first month free or other such concessions to attract qualified tenants. If your credit is good and you have a job I would take a chance and see if you couldn’t work something out with a landlord. The security deposit would not be an issue since you could simply not pay your last month’s rent. Good Luck.
“My landlord is from Guyana so I respect that there are cultural differences. ”
That’s funny. I’ll bet there’s one thing all cultures will agree on: I’ll stop paying the rent, asshole, if you don’t do what you’re supposed to do.
See how fast those cultural differences evaporate.
Bxgrl … would you know any numbers/names of who I might contact? If not, no biggie, I’ll start the research. My concern is that, once again, I’ll come up against the financial issue.
you are right kelly, money is an issue when it comes to moving. sorry 🙁
its landlords like yours that give the rest of us a bad name.
You could talk to someone at housing court and see what your option are. Since money is an issue, possibly housing court will allow you to live rent free for a time so you could get money together to move. It’s worth checking out because your landlord is not only not living up to the lease, but he is acting in some instances illegally. Since he has not provided you with a lease in two years, if you go to court, the court will most likely treat it as if he had given you a signed lease because he has continued to accept rent under the same conditions as the expired lease and has not told you you are month-to month. Good luck- and keep calling 311 and good records.
This isn’t cultural differences- it’s laziness and cheapness, pure and simple.
I would love to move. My biggest problem is that moving involves money (first/last/security, moving fees, etc.) that I don’t have. I would wipe out all savings and leave myself with no net for emergencies.
I paid a security deposit when I moved in.
If anyone out there is looking for a good tenant, I must toot my own horn and say I’m one of the best. I pay my rent on time, I’m clean and neat, I have no problems helping out when it comes to taking out building garbage to the curb (again, we’re only four apartments), I love to garden and don’t mind putting in some of my own sweat to help keep the building. I have never ever had a problem with a landlord. Not until now.
What’s your security deposit situation?
move. there are many excellent landlords out there and you will never cure your situation without moving.