Renter Advice Blog

I’ve been renting with the same company for two years with no problems.  In fact, the ladies that work in the leasing office are the nicest people I’ve ever encountered.  The apartments are wonderful.  I needed a bigger apartment though and we arranged to move into a two bedroom apartment on the 8th.  We didn’t discuss signing a new lease.  A couple weeks before the move-in date I was told the apartment wasn’t ready and the lady in the leasing office, let’s call her Kim, asked if we could move in the 14th.  That was fine.  We turned in our deposit for the new apt.  The 14th came.  Kim calls me 10 minutes before the moving truck arrives and tells me we can’t have the two bedroom due to a flea infestation.  Our options were wait until December or take a three bedroom.  Kim isn’t qualified to discuss discounts but tells us she will contact the regional manager to see what they can do about the three bedroom.  Due to my schedule and my boyfriend’s December was no an option.  My boyfriend’s parents also took unpaid time off work to help us move…and rented the truck.  Kim tells us we have to sign the lease for the current rate but that she could attatch an addendum with the discount that would be presented to us.  The regional manager does not speak to me directly and says that "it’s not their problem" about us having to take the three bedroom.  But its not mine either.  I know I don’t have a case that would hold up in court.  I just want to know what I can say to the regional manager.  Shouldn’t they take a hit?  What would you do?  What would you say?  (Oh, by the way the rent difference is $200 monthly…I’m not talking a few bucks)  Was I a victim of a bait and switch?  Can I go above the regional manager?  Thanks for your time!

Hello. I am currently on my third year renting a house. The bathroon, in particular, the shower stall, has been rotten and falling apart for sometime.  I have copies of written notices to the landord regarding the state of the bathroom and that it was in need of repair.  This is no suprise to anyone. Now that it has gotten so bad the subfloor need to be replaced he is finally coming in to remodel the bathroom. He estimates he will need two weeks to do the remodel. During this time there is a toliet and a bathtub in an outbuidling - not attached to the house, and not a proper bathroom with sink, vanity, heat, etc.  - that we can use. This is my question. He is offering 150.00 deduction on rent. I don’t think this is enough. Is there any legal precedent or regular method to calcuate a fair deduction? Our ablity to use the bathroom that is within the house and our peaceful enjoyment will be compromised during this time period.  What if it goes over 2 weeks. What then? He has a long history of repair projects taking much longer than he thinks they will. We have waited in good faith for over two years to have the bathroom fixed and now to be told he can only drop the rent 150.00 (we normally pay 1075.00) because that is all he can afford feels like we are getting the shaft. Any advice or similar expereince would be helpful.

I am quite frustrated with my office building landlord.  We have just signed a long lease on a brand ‘new building’ which was built last year.  Shortly after we moved in, we found several roof leaks (when it rains, you can hear it dripping.  We had to place trash bins under several areas in the office to catch the water.  In addition, we had plumbing problems (twice). 

Adding to our frustration, they sent us the plumbing bill for more than $900 (for the 2nd incident)!  We have trying to be patient and try to resolve this but they try not to take any responsibilities for the crappy plumbing they have.  Is there place I can file a complaint to? One of the landlord is an arrogant A_ _ and he is some well known politician in another town.  He is such a bully.  We are so tired of getting them to fix their problems and ended up getting the bill!  Please give us some advices as how to deal with these people.

I will terminate the lease early prior to the expiration date because I have to move out at Sept. 10th. I have to pay additional two month rent as lease-breaking fee and full rent for September even though I may not live in this apartment any longer.

I understand the panalty, but I don’t understand the rent for September. The lease manager said that I have to pay in full regardless how long I stay at the apartment in September. Is it right?

Can I get refund the rest of the rent for September (from 9/11 to 9/30)?

I’d appreciate it if anyone gives me advice.

Thanks.

Choon. 

ON tuesday july 29, 2008 i called my landlord and aqsked for a few days extension on rent due to family emergenc. she said she did not have a problem but would have to discuss with her husband. He called me the next day and was extremely rude to me and degrading of family members so to avoid a fight i said i would be out by weekend my rent was not due till Friday august 1st.  I had to go t owork that friday night and when my mothjer went by there to finish the cleaning she was told that we were not allowed back in to clean. I have never lefta rental property uncleaned and was planning on cleaning including steam cleaning carpet but ws not allowed to. and was told that tyhey plan opn suing me for the carpet being dirty. What are my rights? I am worrying myself sick over this matter have been depressed and sick for a week now

1. On Monday the 21st of July, myself and four Friends Applied for a rental approval. We Gave the Landlord $100.00 total, which covered all fees.

2. Recieved A phone call on the 22nd of July, stating that we were approved.

3. Visited the rental property in question on the 25th of July. We were satisfied with the accomodations, and proceeded to give the landlord 4 seperate money orders totaling #1,335.00. At that time the Landlord then Changed the terms of the original lease agreement, Saying that he would email a New copy to each of us individually, and we left the property.

4. On the 26th of July, he emailed the revised copy of the lease agreement to each of us. There were no details on time duration, Late payment penalties, damage deposit, cleaning deposits, etc.

5. On the 28th of July, The landlord was called and was informed that we were no longer renting the property, due to the lack of the legitimate lease specifics.

6. On the 30th of July, the landlord sent out individual emails, stating " Best case scenario, we have been damaged 20 days rent or $1120. If this amount is divided by five, each of you would recieve your original deposit minus $224.00

7. I Find it incredible that an individual would hold me open to any type of agreement that 1) has not been signed, nor 2) states the terms of the lease agreement, and then penalize us to the tune of this money. Is there a simple solution here? That is, while i do not wish to pursue a legal remedy, my parents will. I am trying to find an organization that will give both us, and the landlord a way to go. Please advise

Getting ready to move out of a place I was in for two years and got this from my landlord – I am here with my tile guy and he made me aware several tiles have been cracked and it is not because of the grout coming up.  There for I am going to have to pay to have it replaced.  I will get an invoice and have to deduct it from the deposit.  I do not think it will be more then a $150.

It appears something was dropped on the tile causing several pieces of tile to crack.  I know the tiles were not like this when you moved in so I will have to have it replaced.  Sorry about the unfortunate news but like I said, these tiles were not damaged before you and XX had moved in.

Here is my problem - he specifically emailed us three times over the course of the past year telling us he was going to have the grout in those tiles fixed (I have copies of the e-mails).  I feel like I am just getting hosed on my deposit, but because it is only $150, it would cost me more to file a small claims suit than the money I am losing.  I am just frustrated that I am getting screwed.  What do I do?

It was discovered on 7/18 that we had a major gas leak in my apartment.  The gas company immediately came to shut off the gas, and repairs were unable to be made until the following week.  After the repairs were made, the gas company came back out to turn on the gas, but then found another pipe with 4 more leaks.  The plumber is scheduled for this Wednesday to come repair these new leaks, and we still do not know when the gas company will be able to make it out again to finally turn the gas back on.  We told our landlord that we thought the appropriate thing to do was to deduct each day we have gone without gas from our rent, however, he is unwilling to allow this.  Shouldn’t we be getting some kind of rent deduction for being forced to live in these conditions?  We do not have hot water so no hot showers, no laundry, and without the gas we cannot cook most things.  What is the proper way to address this issue?

How can i break lease on a rental house in Nashville TN. Told landlord that i will be moving out end of july. The lease does not expire till end september. The last months rent had been paid in advance as security deposit. Offered to help find new tennents, but lanlord wanted to find tennent himsellf, landlord lives out of  state and has not found anyone yet. He now wants Augusts rent too.

I recently moved out of an apartment located in Arkansas.  I signed my initial lease a little over five years ago.  I agreed to pay a higher rent in order to have a lease that was month to month.  My deposit was $350 when I signed my lease.  After about three years my landlord lost the apartments to the bank.  My new landlord purchased the apartments from the bank and agreed to let me continue my month to month lease since I had been such a good renter.  Everything went fine until I moved out a couple of weeks ago.  I cleaned the apartment and the landlord even said that he wished all renters would leave a place looking as good as mine did.  He couldn’t believe it was in such good condition after five years.  Well, that was fine up until the point I requested my deposit back.  My current landlord said that I had paid my deposit to the previous landlord and that I would have to get it back from him.  My previous landlord stated that he no longer owns the apartments and doesn’t have any intention of giving me my $350.  Does anyone know who is responsible for the deposit?  I would like to get this money back if it is possible.  Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.