Landlords, revisited....

sailboy21 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007

Arrrrggggg. a continuation of the "Psyco Landlord" thread.

As some of you, and my attorney suggested, I politely spoke with crazy landlord lady about moving out at the end of this month. She said, fine, do what you want. She also said she wasn't going to return our last month prepaid rent because she "Didn't fell like she needed to accommodate us any further." Probably doesn't even have it anymore. She actually told me she gave us a break already (charging half months rent in Nov). Well.. considering the apartment wasn't ready to move in until the 15th.. is that really a break??? She also said I was harassing her about not fixing the locks. Also stated she didn't want state or city statues cited to her. Also said "thats not the way we do things up here." referring to the LAW

I think the courts would disagree, esp since I recorded (and told her I was) the conversations. Thats great right?? but what attorney would help us for just over $1k, actually double that under the law.. but still??? This sucks worse than a hoover... move out, fork over all the money for a new place, sue the bag, all the money.. Or stay here, all stressed out, sanctity of my home ruined, my wife stressing out going and seeing a shrink over this... Merry Christmas!

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007

Sailboy-

This is what they invented small claims court for... represent yourself, present your case... get a judgement.

Document everything... and then tell her, after you've moved out, that you'll be going after her for the last month's rent and security deposit in small claims court.

Another resource which you might have available is a landlord-tenant mediation/arbitration board. Many communities have them or something similar for this kind of issue.

Finally, contact the local government and see if they have anyone that handles landlord-tenant issues. Many local governments do or can point you to a local NGO that does.

capttb · #3 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007

You can also consult with an attorney for $50 for a half hour thru the local Bar Association.
http://www.alaskabar.org/index.cfm?id=4999

uspirate · #4 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by capttb

You can also consult with an attorney for $50 for a half hour thru the local Bar Association.
http://www.alaskabar.org/index.cfm?id=4999

I attend a local bar association but it's more like $60 bucks per hour plus tips (lap dances excluded)

Sailboy, that really does suck. sorry but i must ask, are we telling the entire story here? i know some people are phsyco. but this is almost totally out of line. here's my suggestion. make a banner out of an old sheet or similar saying "your name here" is a low life freeloader. hang it from the top of her doorway, take pictures then sue her for defamation.

SEMIJim · #5 (**permalink**) 12-15-2007

sailboy21,

You wouldn't happen to be active military, would you? If you are, the JAG's office will represent you in a landlord/tenant action for free. (Might even do so for active reserves. Don't know.)

Furthermore, be advised that some states or municipalities have laws on the books like granting a tenant double their deposit back if a landlord fails to refund it w/in a set amount of time or having good cause and having notified the tenant by registered letter w/in that time. New Jersey, for example, is one such state. I had a landlady in NJ that tried to cheat me out of my security deposit. Unfortunately, for her, she didn't know about that new (at the time) law. So even if I had caused the damage she claimed (I didn't), she was out of luck.

I find it highly unlikely your landlord can keep your security deposit because she doesn't feel she needs to "accomodate you further." Returning your security deposit isn't a question of "accomdating" you, it's the law. Unless she has cause under your rental/lease aggreement to keep it, she is obliged to return it.

Jim

hellosailor · #6 (**permalink**) 12-15-2007

Hopefully AK has a small claims court system, and if the referee/judge/whoever hears her say she doesn't care about the law...She may get her head handed to her. Look into it.

If there's no small claims court, just remind her that these things work two ways: If she doesn't want to follow the laws...well, she's the sitting target.

ughmo2000 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-15-2007

Call and talk to your local small claims court.

Where I live, the landlord has 45 days to send a letter detailing damages. If no letter is sent it's considered no damages have occured. You can then sue for your deposits return.

Best of luck!