Author Topic: Landlord Problems  (Read 2115 times)

Offline smoe

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Landlord Problems
« on: February 25, 2012, 09:54:47 PM »
Hey guys,

I have a problem with a landlord. I have been nothing but an ideal tenant. I have been getting along with my landlord who lives next door. I signed a 10-month lease which includes, in writing, that I enter a month-to-month lease after the 10-month period ends. 5-months into the month-to-month lease (almost two weeks ago) the guy comes over with a new lease in hand.

Day #1
The landlord knocks on my door, I answer and the SOB starts walking around me to go into the inside door. He is carrying a folder with a new lease contract. I say “hold on what is that?” He says “it’s your new lease contract.” I had to tell him many times that "I absolutely refuse to sign any new lease and that if he wants me out he only has to send me a certified letter ordering me to vacate the premises within 30-60 days, depending on the date of the notice." The conversation did get a little heated, but nothing to the point of screaming. The guy starts to walk away, turns his head, and gives me a Clint Eastwood style "I'll give you 2-days to think about it." He then proceeds to walk out the door.

Day #5
The landlord comes back over and knocks on the door/windows and rings the door bell. He knows I'm home, but I don't answer. About 20 mins later the guy's daughter who lives across the street calls me up and leaves a voice mail asking if I could look at a wiring issue in her home. I don't call her back because I know it is a trap.

Day #6
I head out the store and come back. The landlord is in his late 70's and has a perfect view of my driveway from his lazy boy chair. About 2 mins after arriving home I get a call from my landlord and let it go to voice mail "hey are you ok, I am wondering if you are dead or sick, I'm getting worried over here, etc…..."

Day #7
The landlord starts knocking on the door and ringing the door bell for 1-2 minutes. He goes back home and 20 mins later calls me up and leaves a voice message "are you ok, I’m worried about you, I don't know if you are sick or dead or what, etc….." About 20 mins later the landlord is knocking on my door/ringing the door bell. I then see him walking around the house and looking into my windows. He then enters the entrance between my garage and house. He used his keys to unlock my breezeway door. I then dialed 911. The landlord leaves and goes into his house. Two patrol cars show up and I talk to them and let them know what is going on. About the same time the landlord calls the police and the dispatcher tells him two cars are already next door. The landlord walks over, with his wife, and goes on and on "are you ok, blah, blah, blah." I tell him I am fine at least 3 times. The conversation pauses and I start walking into my home. I say to my landlord "please use the US Postal Service for any further contact." The landlord follows me to the door all upset, which is really starting to worry me. The police officer says a word like “he is ok” and the landlord stops. The police officers then talk to the landlord for a bit and the landlord goes back home and the police leave the scene.

The landlord leaves another voice message about 2-3 hours later, “hey so and so, I just want to talk with you, I want you sign an extended lease so I can go to Florida and not have to worry about coming back home in case you leave.”

Day #8
The landlord leaves me a voice message “uh so and so, I just want to talk to you, I wanted to negotiate an extended lease, can you call me back?”

Day #9
The landlord leaves me a voice message “uh so and so, please call me back by 1:00pm the next day should you decide if you want to stay so we can sign a new lease contract.”

Day #12
I get two certified letters in the mail letting me know that I am to vacate the premises by end of the following month. I gladly sign the letters and accept them from the mail man. 5-mins later I get a call from a caller ID that I number I have never seen before. No voice messages were left.

About 1-2 hours later I hear my security system go off. The motion sensor in the breezeway entrance between my garage and house was tripped. I peak around the corner and the sob is in inside the locked breezeway entrance. He does have a key, but did not knock or ring the door bell. He leaves a 3rd letter taped to the outside of the door entering my home. The letter is the same letter received earlier that day. I then called the local police station and two patrol cars showed up. I told them my landlord entered my breezeway entrance using a key, but did not knock. I didn’t have the TV on or the radio, so I would have heard had he knocked.

The two police officers then go next door and talk to my landlord. The police come back and tell me the landlord claimed he had knocked first. The police also pass on information to me that come Monday morning window installers will arrive at my home to install new windows in the basement.

And the kicker is, just as I was writing this my landlord calls me up at 10:00 pm and leaves a voice message telling me to expect the window installers Monday morning.

Offline oakranger

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Re: Landlord Problems
« Reply #1 on: February 25, 2012, 10:09:51 PM »
I can tell you this.  As long as you still have a contract, he CAN NOT go inside your place with your notice.    The best that you can do is call the state real estate commission and asked them what the state and federal laws that this guys may be doing wrong.  They should have somebody who can assist you on your situation.
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Offline smoe

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Re: Landlord Problems
« Reply #2 on: February 25, 2012, 10:17:17 PM »
I can tell you this.  As long as you still have a contract, he CAN NOT go inside your place with your notice.    The best that you can do is call the state real estate commission and asked them what the state and federal laws that this guys may be doing wrong.  They should have somebody who can assist you on your situation.

Thanks, my home is in Ohio.

Offline homersipes

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Re: Landlord Problems
« Reply #3 on: February 25, 2012, 10:37:27 PM »
I used to manage a craphole apt for a slumlord, and a landlord cannot enter your residence without 48 hour notice.  If they do its a criminal trespass.  as a cop told me you are paying money for your apt and its kinda your property.  at least you got a notice, we got 48 hrs notice to vacate.  laws maybe different there I am in vermont.  Here are a couple links should get you some answers. goodluck :salute
http://www.ohiolandlordtenant.com/
http://ohiorentersrights.com/

Offline lyric1

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Re: Landlord Problems
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2012, 11:04:08 PM »
Get an attorney fast & go from there.

Offline Jayhawk

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Re: Landlord Problems
« Reply #5 on: February 26, 2012, 12:08:59 AM »
The Game Is A Great Value, Sure, It Has It's Flaws, But Overall, It's Usually A Lot Of Fun.  The Forums Can Get A Bit Sketchy Sometimes Though.
LOOK EVERYBODY!  I GOT MY NAME IN LIGHTS!

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Offline oakranger

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Re: Landlord Problems
« Reply #6 on: February 26, 2012, 12:46:56 AM »
I used to manage a craphole apt for a slumlord, and a landlord cannot enter your residence without 48 hour notice.  If they do its a criminal trespass.  as a cop told me you are paying money for your apt and its kinda your property.  at least you got a notice, we got 48 hrs notice to vacate.  laws maybe different there I am in vermont.  Here are a couple links should get you some answers. goodluck :salute
http://www.ohiolandlordtenant.com/
http://ohiorentersrights.com/

Your right.  Every state has their own set of laws and follow by the same federal law.  Thanks for posting the sites for him. 

Thanks, my home is in Ohio.

Where in Ohio?
Oaktree

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Offline mthrockmor

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Re: Landlord Problems
« Reply #7 on: February 26, 2012, 02:35:09 AM »
What does the dispute resolution clause state? Mediation, binding arbitration, most likely court? Most leases have a set term with a set month-to-month adjustment, with either party able to terminate in writing with certain notice and penalty. If your lease does not have this within you will most likely need an attorney to invoke precedence via correspondence or filing for enforcement. Most states will not place adjudications in statutes but leave that for judges discretion.

Just my two cents.

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Offline pembquist

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Re: Landlord Problems
« Reply #8 on: February 26, 2012, 04:04:12 AM »
I don't understand what the problem is, I'm not saying there isn't one I just don't get it.  The landlord finally gave you notice because you didn't want to sign a longer term lease.  I thought that was what you wanted.  It sounds like some kind of poor communication, maybe he's getting a little dotty.  This is all going to be behind you in a month so try not to let it get to you. 
Pies not kicks.

Offline ABDCWOT

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Re: Landlord Problems
« Reply #9 on: February 26, 2012, 04:25:34 AM »
Get a restraining order.

Offline madhogg

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Re: Landlord Problems
« Reply #10 on: February 26, 2012, 04:37:44 AM »
It sounds to me like this late 70s man(landlord) is simply looking out after his investments..   He really didnt do anything wrong, he try to contact you many times to talk like civil folks but you are too much of a larry.. Title for your post should be " bad tenant " bet you the type o folk who takes their neihbor to court for eyeballing your lawn... Sad.

Offline Jayhawk

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Re: Landlord Problems
« Reply #11 on: February 26, 2012, 05:32:34 AM »
The Game Is A Great Value, Sure, It Has It's Flaws, But Overall, It's Usually A Lot Of Fun.  The Forums Can Get A Bit Sketchy Sometimes Though.
\

Sorry, don't know how I ended up in here.
LOOK EVERYBODY!  I GOT MY NAME IN LIGHTS!

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Offline mbailey

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Re: Landlord Problems
« Reply #12 on: February 26, 2012, 05:37:18 AM »
Hes looking to maintain his home, and also wants to make sure that your taken care of so that he can go to Florida?

Quote  "The landlord leaves another voice message about 2-3 hours later, “hey so and so, I just want to talk with you, I want you sign an extended lease so I can go to Florida and not have to worry about coming back home in case you leave.”
 
Not sure what the problem is. Honestly, your comming across as the problem,  not the landlord.



The fact that it got escalated to the point that Law Enforcement was called is rediculous, those guys have better things to do then mediate something that could be discussed like adults over a cup of coffee.

Day #12 and on would have never have happened if you would have just discussed things with him, and looked at things from his point of view as well as yours.

I come from the point of view of having been a tenant in the past, and also currently own 2 rental properties. Ill usually invite my new tenant to dinner after he / she / they are all moved in, it helps to get to know the person, as well as gives the person a chance to get to know us. Heck, i still get Christmas cards from 2 or 3 of my last tenants, and would go out of my way to help them should they need it.

All that said, I dont agree with him coming in or skulking around ur house without your permission........I hope it all works out for you

« Last Edit: February 26, 2012, 05:52:39 AM by mbailey »
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Offline Melvin

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Re: Landlord Problems
« Reply #13 on: February 26, 2012, 06:30:12 AM »
Hes looking to maintain his home, and also wants to make sure that your taken care of so that he can go to Florida?

Quote  "The landlord leaves another voice message about 2-3 hours later, “hey so and so, I just want to talk with you, I want you sign an extended lease so I can go to Florida and not have to worry about coming back home in case you leave.”
 
Not sure what the problem is. Honestly, your comming across as the problem,  not the landlord.



The fact that it got escalated to the point that Law Enforcement was called is rediculous, those guys have better things to do then mediate something that could be discussed like adults over a cup of coffee.

Day #12 and on would have never have happened if you would have just discussed things with him, and looked at things from his point of view as well as yours.

I come from the point of view of having been a tenant in the past, and also currently own 2 rental properties. Ill usually invite my new tenant to dinner after he / she / they are all moved in, it helps to get to know the person, as well as gives the person a chance to get to know us. Heck, i still get Christmas cards from 2 or 3 of my last tenants, and would go out of my way to help them should they need it.

All that said, I dont agree with him coming in or skulking around ur house without your permission........I hope it all works out for you




This
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Offline eagl

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Re: Landlord Problems
« Reply #14 on: February 26, 2012, 07:26:36 AM »
You can bet the window installers are going to bust out the old windows and claim they can't fix them, or fiddle with them for hours or even days, in an attempt to make the place unlivable.

I suggest going for a restraining order immediately, before the window guys get there.  The 48 hr notice is for access to the property, not notice that they're going to do major renovation work.  The old lease may have restrictions on renovations/repairs during occupancy.

In any case, find a cheap lawyer to get you a restraining order against the owner and his agents, for the remaining duration of the lease.  And then get out of the apartment by the vacate date.  Call 2 or 3 lawyers to get their price for a restraining order and to find out how fast they can do it since the window guys are supposed to show up soon.

As for what to do if the window guys show up, call the cops and give them "access" (let them in the door with the cops there) but do not let them perform any work.  That isn't access, that is performing renovations.

Everyone I know, goes away, in the end.