Tenant rights..question

[RockHopper]

Yeah...that conversation didn't go very well. I went to him to discuss it, calm as a cucumber. I spent 15 minutes assuring him that I understood his perspectives and concern. Today was the first time I've ever left the heat on. He confirmed that by showing me the app that connects to his power meter, which is how he knew it was on.

He refused to be reasonable about his reaction, and insisted (his words) that he decides what is an emergency, and the power bill counts. He was disrespectful and unwilling to admit that he cannot have access to my apartment at will. With or without my consent.

I was still calm, but he was really getting worked up. I told him that wasn't gonna work for me, and I was gonna have to go ahead and give him 30 days notice. I left after that, because he started threatening to call the cops and have me removed immediately, because I was committing "abuse" to the landlord. I just walked out after that.' I'll give him written notice tomorrow, including the reason, and have a new place by the 1st.

How ridiculous..

 

[RockHopper]

Move. Seriously.

Do you have a lease or some other rental contract, in writing that specifies who pays for what or if splitting a bill what percentage is paid by what party?

Many many years ago I had moved into a rental house. On the day the rent was due, while I was sleeping, the landlord entered the house, and began walking thru the house yelling rents due.
He was met with a pistol in his face as he opened my closed bedroom door as I was opening it.

I told him to leave and come back after he called first.

He got mad, I said leave on your own, in a bag or in cuffs makes me no mind.

He left, came back later that day, I handed him a check, he demanded cash, I said go to the bank, hand them this check after you sign it, they will give you cash.

I also informed him he cannot legally enter the house without notice.

That was the first rent payment after being there a month. He sent his son afterwards, I offered to mail the checks to him but he wanted the money in hand, cash, I said I only pay by check.

After that there were no issues, I stayed about 2 years before moving to another place where I stayed about 6 years before moving into my own place.

Yes, the lease specifies that the landlord pays the utilities. The end. No specifications beyond that aside from a verbal understanding that I would not abuse said utilities. I wouldn't consider a thermostat set at 64° to be abuse. Especially considering until today, it's not been on at all unless I was present.

 

[trekrok]

Dude sounds crazy. I'd have a camera on 24/7 and would record every conversation i had with him going forward.

 

[wolfman1]

Yeah...that conversation didn't go very well. I went to him to discuss it, calm as a cucumber. I spent 15 minutes assuring him that I understood his perspectives and concern. Today was the first time I've ever left the heat on. He confirmed that by showing me the app that connects to his power meter, which is how he knew it was on.

He refused to be reasonable about his reaction, and insisted (his words) that he decides what is an emergency, and the power bill counts. He was disrespectful and unwilling to admit that he cannot have access to my apartment at will. With or without my consent.

I was still calm, but he was really getting worked up. I told him that wasn't gonna work for me, and I was gonna have to go ahead and give him 30 days notice. I left after that, because he started threatening to call the cops and have me removed immediately, because I was committing "abuse" to the landlord. I just walked out after that.' I'll give him written notice tomorrow, including the reason, and have a new place by the 1st.

How ridiculous..

I would be sure to get any further interactions video recorded. Paper trail and all that. And save the note from the other day.

 

[turkeyrun]

Total wackodoodle

I don't know that I could stay a month.

 

[Firpo]

Wow! You really found a winner with this guy. Sounds like he’s nuttier than a squirrel turd. Best to chalk this one up to a learning experience and if you ever find yourself entering into a similar situation leave all ambiguity aside and have a clear understanding of their expectations and get it in writing. I’ve even handwritten specifics on contracts before signing. For instance in your situation “entering my residence to turn down the thermostat does not constitute an emergency”.

Another suggestion. You must have suspected the conversation wouldn’t go so well with this a-hole. I’d have recorded the conversation. Start recording on your cell phone and drop it in your shirt pocket. Also, as soon as that jerk threatened to call the cops I’d have been dialing 911 myself. I can’t stand, mean, cowardly people.

 

[Hooper]

Cops showing up could be in your favor if you get a reasonable one. A witness with a video of everyone's actions used to good evidence. Pretty risky now a day though. You never know what type of cop might show up. Most of the ones with common sense have left the building and retired.

 

[TwoShoots]

Any reason you didn't go with a larger service like an apartment complex or a home rental service? They are very strict on sticking to the rules so they don't get sued.

 

[T. MIKE SMITH]

Renting always sucks- I will be 70 on my next BD- I got married and we moved into an apartment when I was 19. We were there 6 months and bought a house. I rented a year after my divorce and bought a house that needed work - cleaned it up some and then a bought a bigger one that was dated and worked it over and sold the other one I had for a profit- lived in bigger one for a few years and found one in the county on 7 acres that needed work- bought it and rehabed it and finally moved back to town in a 1500 sq ft place with a small yard. I have owned a dozen places over the years and only rented about 2 years in the last 50. Every home I ever owned, I made money on. When you rent, you only get your deposit back if you're lucky. Keep your credit good and you can buy a home with no money down if you work with a realtor who knows how to get a seller to pay your closing cost. It's the best way to go and no landlord to deal with.

 

[John6185]

he demanded cash,

He didn’t want a paper trail for the IRS…he didn’t want to pay taxes on the rental.