Landlord from Hell....HELP!!!
@ihearttinytim (614)
United States
May 2, 2008 4:54pm CST
First a little background: Let me start off saying that I have a cat, so probably won't get my security deposit back anyway. But anyhoo... About two months ago, on a Friday night, I discovered my neighbor across the hall from me moving out. I was shocked! He told me that the landlord wasn't renewing anyone's lease in my building, nor in the first building (there are five total.) He had just found out, and was furious! (I can't blame him.) This is because they are renovating the two buildings. He then stated that he was told that we would be allowed to move to one of the other buildings but would be charged a relocation fee. ...WHAT?! First of all, we live in one of the nicer buildings. Secondly, this place has car break-ins on a regular basis, with no security guard on site - why would I want to stay here? Third, we're basically getting kicked out after our leases are over, and forced to relocate - why charge us to move to another place, when it's not our fault we're having to move? Something jsut doesn't make sense...
So, come the follwing Monday, when I called the leasing office to verify that this "non-renewal of lease" thing wasn't all hearsay, the apartment manager said, "ummm... I'm not sure... I'll have to call you back." Not sure?! She's the apartment manager, for crying out loud!! What kind of apartment manager doesn't know anything about what's going on with the buildings? When she did call me back a few days later, she said that it was true - they weren't renewing anyone's leases in those buildings. I then asked her, "so that means if we want to move to one of the other buildings, we'd be charged a relocation fee?" She said she would have to call me back about that, and also see if we'd be able to move to one of the other buildings." Why does this lady have to keep calling me back? Why can't I get a straight answer out of any body?
Well, I didn't hear from her for several days... I don't ahve time to keep calling people and keeping them on their toes - I work two jobs *AND* go to school at night - I don't have the time. She finally called back and said I wouldn't be able to move into one of the other buildings (I forget why - mostly because it was a lame excuse. I must have blocked it from my memory...lol) So, in order to keep from getting "stuck" with no place to live at the last minute, I started looking for aprtments and found one within three days. Signed the papers and everything!
The very next day, my current apt. complex decides to put a letter in my door stating that we can, in fact, stay, and that the rent would stay the same, even though we wouldn't be under a lease. WELL NOW'S A FINE TIME TO TELL US! The letter also stated that if we weren't going to stay, to write them a letter 30 days prior to move out date. We did so.
OK: All of that background is for the following:
This morning, I had a letter on my door stating that the place needs to be cleaned thoroughly before we move out. Fine - I'm not a pig, nor am I disrespectful of other's property. It was already my intention to leave the place cleaned. However, they want us to repaint the walls before we move. WHAT??!! This is a two bedroom apartment. I work two jobs and go to school - I don't have time to paint!!! Nor do I have the money to buy the paint and supplies, etc. Plus, they have plans to renovate the place, anyway... WHAT THE--? They want us to paint a place that's going to get gutted?? Then they mentioned that if things aren't in workign order they'll charge us. I've lived here ten years and the dishwasher has NEVER WORKED!!! We told them this when we move in. They never replaced it, nor did they ever fix it. I hope they don't think I'm going to pay for that! Plus, there are places on the walls where the fuondation has cracked sue to hurricanes, and places where mildew has set in from all the rain. When we called them up to the apartment to fix it, their idea of "fixing" it was painting over it!! The only thing they actually tried to fix was a part of the wall right behind where our TV sits. That was over one year ago, and they STILL haven't come to finish the job!!! We've called and called. They also want to charge us $2 if they have to replace lightbulbs!!! WHAT THE--?? Excuse me, but we are the ones who purchased lightbulbs if they blew out, while we lived here. Why are they charging us $2 to replace them?? They're technically ours! Am I being irrational, or am I right - they're being rediculous? HELP...
I've gone around taking pics of all the parts of the walls that are damaged and still haven't been fixed. Aside from this and taking legal action, I don't know what to do.
2 people like this
4 responses
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
2 May 08
Whew! Deep breath. I'm surprised you made it through all that without using profanity.
I'm sure by now you are glad you didn't recieve the notice stating that you could stay prior to signing another lease, otherwise you would have stayed. Hopefully now you will have a landlord that actually cares about their tenants and fixes things as they're asked.
Here's what I'd do:
If I was sure I wasn't getting my security deposit back anyways, I'd just leave things as is, not even bother to clean up after myself. Nothing they can do about that, they can't ask for more money as that's why the security deposit is paid upfront anyways.
If you do want your security deposit back, then things are going to be tricky. First of all you have to figure out if they have the right to force these issues. I understand the cleaning up and fixing up of anything you broke, but you're right, some of it seems ridiculous.
If you're going to pursue legal action, you're going to need documentation. The letter is good, as are the pictures, but you will need proof that you've previously contacted them about these broken items. When you gave 30 days notice, hopefully you did that in writing and saved a copy, just in case they try to claim you owe another month's rent because they never recieved notice.
Good luck. I hope it works out for you, and I am glad you won't be living in those conditions much longer!
@ihearttinytim (614)
• United States
3 May 08
Well, being a Christian helps put a lock on my tongue - occassionally... LOL (I'll admit; I do have my moments of reckless abandon.) Thanks for the advice. I was beginning to think I was the one who was nuts. I'm glad you all are on my side. I wish I could hire an attorney. Finding a FREE attorney in SOUTH FLORIDA is an oxymoron. It would seem that money is all South Floridians are out for. Everyone sues everyone else down here. I wish I could just move to another state but I can't afford that either. Plus the fact that I'm having to use the $2,000 it took me two years to save towards paying off a credit card, to move with it instead! I am so ticked off right now! :o(
@blackbriar (9075)
• United States
3 May 08
I'm with the other responders on this. Definately take legal action. What your landlord is demanding is too much. I can see fixing things that broke AFTER you moved in and replacing any lightbulbs along with cleaning the apt. but painting? I don't think so!!!! Noone paints the apt. after they leave unless they painted it some really off the wall colors when they move in. Glad your getting out of there and hope into a building where the landlord is more honest. Good luck moving.
@sisterjinx (1135)
• United States
2 May 08
The best advice I can give is get some Real legal advice right now. If you can't afford an attourney see if your area has one of those free legal services organizations. We have been through something similar before and I can tell you if you don't do this, they will.
I do get the lightbulb thing. Were there lightbulbs there when you moved in? Then there should be when you move out.
After our experience in a situation like this we began seeking our own home and shortly thereafter moved into our own trailer. To protect yourself when moving into a new apartment next time, photograph everything and document anything that doesn't work. Then mail a copy to the landlord, with a return reciept thing. Mail a copy back to yourself and never open it, that provides you a legal date stamp. This way if something like this happens again, and you never know, you will have proof.
I'm so sorry that anyone has to go through something like this. Some landlords simply are not capable of handling things in a professional manner. I hope it all works out.





