Landlord=Cheap Bastard=Hell...Part 2

[crow01]

Landlord of hell...continues.

Sure I got into this lease cause I liked the place a lot, and the landlord seemed fine, until...

I called him and he says couldn't come cause he injured his leg. Then I saw him walking around like nothing.

I called him again to mention:
- I smelled gas...like more than there should be when turning on the stove.
- The oven started spilling out smoke after I turned it on for 10 minutes.
- Sink is leaking.

A little background on the landlord:
- Mid 50s
- Owns the whole building and he accidentally mentioned it has been paid off for years, maybe since the 80s.
- Must get paid at least $5,000 per month total renting all units
- Taxes per year (for the whole building) approx $6,000 (I googled it)

He finally comes:

Landlord as the devil.
Me as...me

The devil: mmmphh...what is the problem?
Me: Something is up with the oven

The devil: (opens the oven). I have been fixing this fu...(curse here) sh...(more cursing) for years. What the f...
Me: (wow! this guy is kinda psycho)...mmm...mmm...It wwa-s spi-lling smoooke (I am shaking already)

The devil: Well look it has grease on the bottom, no wonder it was spilling smoke.
Me: I thought the oven was new, it's the first time I use it.

The devil: Is not new, I bought one and I gave you mine.
Me: (whhhat?) Okaaay. So I guess it was dirty.

The devil: Well I cleaned it, do you think I am stupid? I am not fu...(curse more) stupid.
Me: (wwooow...what?) ehhh..I never said you were stupid. I just said that it is the first time I use it. I just turned it on

The devil: Well I cleaned it!!!
Me: Well, this is why I wanted to do a walkthrough so we can agree and look what is wrong with the unit.

The devil: Well there are more places in the city, where you can get all new appliances, new floors, new kitchen, and pay a thousand dollars more, why didn't you just move there?
Me: (what the heck?) ...mmm (this guy messing with me?) Hey take it easy man. I am just telling you what's wrong with the unit.

The devil continued arguing for 10 minutes.

Me: You know what, let's just do this another day. Please come next week and we do a walk through.
The devil: Well not next week, cause my leg still hurts and I don't have insurance.

Me: (He doesn't have insurance?, what the heck is he doing with the money...$5,000 a month and he doesn't have health insurance?)

After this miserable day, I am considering:
- Make peace with the guy and start again fresh.
- Hire a laywer to get out of this mess.

[XigXag]

Rent in escrow is your friend.

[jp58]

I would go with option B. And pictures, lots of pictures. Or report him to the news and let one of the reporters at him. They do that all the time here.

[bassguppy]

Originally Posted by XigXag

Rent in escrow is your friend.

yep

[MJ5150]

It's none of your business if the property is paid off or not. So even if it is, you shouldn't begrudge someone for making money.

Why didn't you do the walkthrough before you agreed to rent the place?

-Mike

[James Hart]

Sorry for your trouble... I'm on the other side of this vent. I've been trying all year to ditch a dead beat renter... and the fight is FINALLY almost done. Last week Judge has sent paperwork to the Sheriff to post the eviction and signed off on the start of their wage garnishment

[Selta]

Originally Posted by James Hart

Sorry for your trouble... I'm on the other side of this vent. I've been trying all year to ditch a dead beat renter... and the fight is FINALLY almost done. Last week Judge has sent paperwork to the Sheriff to post the eviction and signed off on the start of their wage garnishment

[L-A]

Documents and photographs? Have what it takes to compare the owner's claims and the actual state of the apartment.

[LiquidMidnight]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

It's none of your business if the property is paid off or not. So even if it is, you shouldn't begrudge someone for making money.

I think the OP's point was "Hey, the complex is paid off for and you're making bank, so don't act like a slumlord when something needs servicing." I don't think it was a call to arms over the bourgeois property owning class.

[hbarcat]

This is really no more complicated than the guy is being an unpleasant jerk so you won't call him when stuff needs fixing - he wants you to do it yourself on your dime because he's a ####### cheapskate.

Just ignore his attitude and call him when it's necessary for him to do the jobs he's responsible for. Be polite to him but firm. Know your rights as a tenant and inform him that he needs to take responsibility for certain duties as they come up. If he argues and complains and tries to weasel out of stuff just stay polite but firm.

And document, document, document.