Landlord of hell...need advise

crow01 · #1 08-13-2010, 02:47 PM

Hello fellow TB,

Moved into a new place, landlord seemed fine. Very nice...at the beginning. Landlord lives one floor below me.

Day 1:
Landlord: So you are going to paint right?

Me: (paint? why?) mmm no why?

Landlord: ohh okay.

Me: Can I paint?

Landlord: Yes, but pick neutral colors.
....

(I paint 2 rooms)

Landlord: So you are going to paint the rest right?

Me: (the heck?) Nope, unless you pay for it?

Landlord: mmm No that's okay

Day 2:
Landlord: So before you move you are going to clean right?

Me: (the heck again?) mmm, I think the landlord is supposed to turn in the apartment clean.

Landlord: ohh. Okay

Day 3:
I move in, the apartment was not cleaned, there is some water leak and I think a possible gas leak. Also the landlord has not done a walk through the place so I can show him nicks and dents, here and there.

Me: Hello, there is a problem with this and that. Also about the walk through.

Landlord: ohh I had such bad cramps on my legs playing blabla, and I cannot move out of bed. But don't worry about the walk through, don't worry.

An hour later (from my window) I see the landlord walking out into the street. What the heck, he just said he couldn't move.

Right now I am taking pictures of every little spot at this place, so landlord by the end of the lease doesn't tell me all of those nicks and dents were my fault.

Have you had problems like these?

macaroni tony · #2 08-13-2010, 02:49 PM

is this just, like, one of those two story houses, where the owner rents out the upstairs?

bassteban · #3 08-13-2010, 02:49 PM

Never.
I'd get out now.

MonetBass · #4 08-13-2010, 03:20 PM

Yeah, that cannot end well. Find another place.

MatticusMania · #5 08-13-2010, 03:21 PM

But first leave a big turd stain on the wall and claim it was there when you moved in.

EBodious · #6 08-13-2010, 03:28 PM

don't know how chicago fares in landlord/tenant relations, but, this does not sound good. don't know if you can break the lease or find another place. i would insist on a walk through. try to get him to sign something that acknowledges everything you guys find together.

i like the idea of an easy going landlord whose attitude is, "don't worry," but i think you already have evidence that he is inconsistent. that is, if your account is accurate.

has he been renting for a long time? he should know that he has to clean it before you move in (that should be in the lease).

don't mean to stress you, but these are warning signs.

good luck

ZachOrem · #7 08-13-2010, 03:35 PM

This sounds like bad news waiting to happen. Why did you paint two rooms already? Did you sign a lease? He might be using your for cheap labour.

Linas · #8 08-13-2010, 03:35 PM

whats the landlords name and neighborhood he rents in so i can know to stay away.

codeinedreams · #9 08-13-2010, 03:36 PM

yes. say goodbye to your security deposit if there is one. so before you move out, just pay the rent you owe for that month minus the amount of the security deposit he owes you back that you're not going to see again (you didn't hear that from me). he'll be too lazy to go through any formal eviction process or take you to court by then

Pilgrim · #10 08-13-2010, 03:43 PM

I see no prospect for anything but trouble. If you stay there (terrible idea) take photos of everything and get them date-stamped or mail them to yourself in a sealed envelope so you can prove the date they were taken.

Another idea - walk through with a witness while shooting video and keep the date stamp turned on so it's visible in the video.

There is no way this will turn out well.