You won't believe what my landlord just did to me!

crow01 · #1 10-05-2010, 01:47 PM

Calls me and tells me he is going to show the apartment in an hour.

As far as I am concerned that is not legal, he has to give me a 24 hrs notice.

Even though I let him.

He comes with a "realtor", let's call it the "fake realtor".

They go around looking at the place.

Later landlord calls me needs to speak to me.

He then claims I have been using a portable washing machine to wash my clothes and there is water damage on the unit below me.

I don't even know what a portable washing machine is.

I tell him search the frigging apartment if he wants. He said he already did...therefore the fake realtor.

He said then where I have been washing my clothes. I said I have been using the building washers, just like everybody else.

What the heck!!!

D.A.R.K. · #2 10-05-2010, 01:49 PM

he's a jerk.
get a lawyer.

Kosko · #3 10-05-2010, 01:51 PM

sounds like its time to move

funkydjembe · #4 10-05-2010, 01:52 PM

term "landlord" is archaic. He is landfart. or Lordfart

L-A · #5 10-05-2010, 01:53 PM

Document everything from now on. A portable washing unit would imply a nearby drain, is there one? If your floor isn't damaged at the place there is water damage, this is likely a water conduit malfunctioning between the two units.

It looks like he is looking for someone to pay his plumbing bills.

Kwesi · #6 10-05-2010, 01:54 PM

If there has been no cash-damage to you or your possessions I dunno if getting a lawyer is worth it. However, may I suggest a few rock to his car? No, I'm not kidding. Just don't get caught.

funkydjembe · #7 10-05-2010, 01:57 PM

you should definitely notify the powers that be. Take him down,,,to chinatown. Unless you did something else wrong?

electracoyote · #8 10-05-2010, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D.A.R.K.

he's a jerk.
get a lawyer.

This.

The price of one consultation, and a decent attorney writing your landlord a strongly-worded letter, is a small price to pay to cover your arse.

When your landlord sees your attorney's letter head and reads the contents, he may think twice about pushing you around.

And if your landlord doesn't heed the warning and keeps violating your rights, you're going to need that well-informed attorney to get the jump on this anyway.

Phalex · #9 10-05-2010, 02:09 PM

Do something really disgusting to the toilet. Call him and tell him he better bring a plunger and a hatchet mucho pronto.

wengr · #10 10-05-2010, 02:10 PM

is he gearing up to try and get you out before the lease terminates?

Skitch it! · #11 10-05-2010, 02:27 PM

I've had something similar once or twice in the past, a landlady tried to hang on to my deposit by claiming cleaning bills (which I should have charged her as it goes), I'll give her this, she had some gall, after I told her 'you'll be hearing from my solicitor' she waited till the very last second before I closed the door behind me, called me back and wrote my check. If he has official history of this kind of thing previously, he'll probably have a think if it comes to the mention of 'lawyers'? Or maybe not?

Chebass88 · #12 10-05-2010, 02:40 PM

If you want to be a hero - speak with the folks in the unit underneath yours, and find out where the water damage is coming from. This will give you a place to start looking for a cause. Find the cause, and work with your landlord to fix it. Of course, water can run, but directly overhead is a pretty good place to start looking. My bet is that it is a dishwasher or tub or something similar.

Try to get everything in writing for now - there is no need to do anything violent, or to involve an attorney. This seems like a simple miscommunication to me.

macaroni tony · #13 10-05-2010, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chebass88

If you want to be a hero - speak with the folks in the unit underneath yours, and find out where the water damage is coming from. This will give you a place to start looking for a cause. Find the cause, and work with your landlord to fix it. Of course, water can run, but directly overhead is a pretty good place to start looking. My bet is that it is a dishwasher or tub or something similar.

Try to get everything in writing for now - there is no need to do anything violent, or to involve an attorney. This seems like a simple miscommunication to me.

According to his other thread on the guy, apparently his landlord is a con artist

Skitch it! · #14 10-05-2010, 02:47 PM

If he's 'popping' around without the required prior notice and bringing a 'realtor' with him, in my mind he's already set the mark for consideration in this situation.

electracoyote · #15 10-05-2010, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chebass88

If you want to be a hero - speak with the folks in the unit underneath yours, and find out where the water damage is coming from. This will give you a place to start looking for a cause. Find the cause, and work with your landlord to fix it. Of course, water can run, but directly overhead is a pretty good place to start looking. My bet is that it is a dishwasher or tub or something similar.

Try to get everything in writing for now - there is no need to do anything violent, or to involve an attorney. This seems like a simple miscommunication to me.

I like your approach.

An attorney will want as much information as possible, so OP doing his own detective work to find the true source of the water is a good idea.

I'd still call the attorney. These pushy landlords, once they think they've intimidated you, you're screwed.

**Staccato** · #16 10-05-2010, 02:52 PM

My first thought was have a lawyer 'friend' inspect your floors for water damage. Then, he could write the landlord a friendly letter welcoming a response.

The landlord would likely remain silent, and stop calling you! Do you have any lawyers in your social circle that would do this as a favor? (no charge).

EricF · #17 10-05-2010, 03:05 PM

Why was he going to show the apartment? Are you already planning to move out?

Review your rent/lease agreement carefully. Be familiar with exactly what the landlord has access to, and under what terms (advance notice, etc.). If he is breaking the terms of the agreement, that may give you a big advantage if lawyers start getting involved.

Jim Campbell · #18 10-05-2010, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wengr

is he gearing up to try and get you out before the lease terminates?

if he has a tenant for more money he may try to drive you out....take pictures of everything,and refuse to allow him in without the proper notice,even if you are home and not busy....call your state agency and ask if there is any kind of arbitration process,and get a copy of the law........

document every visit from him,every conversation,and make him understand that you are willing to take him to court if he violates any facets of landlord tenant law....tell him that if he feels that you have caused any damage to put it in writing,with proof

...if your rent is paid up on time and complaints have not been filed with sherrif/pd's for noise etc.,he has very little cause to evict.....

where i live a landlord who tries to boot a tenant is fighting an uphill battle,and sometimes must pay moving expenses,if they sell,or go condo etc....

Chebass88 · #19 10-05-2010, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skitch it!

If he's 'popping' around without the required prior notice and bringing a 'realtor' with him, in my mind he's already set the mark for consideration in this situation.

The onus for 24 hour notification was negated by the OP's willingness to let them in on short notice.

Skitch it! · #20 10-05-2010, 04:16 PM

This from the original post, 'Calls me and tells me he is going to show the apartment in an hour.' The landlord shouldn't be 'telling' him he's showing the apartment in an hour regardless, he should be asking if it's convenient and when it may be, it sounds like a couple of landlords I've experienced, they assume that there are no rigid rights because it's their property and will play it like that, this landlord fits that mould imo.