Posted by SassiGal on February 20, 2000 at 19:40:18:
In Reply to: Landlord problems HELP! posted by Chris on February 17, 2000 at 15:15:38:
I can answer one of your questions from experience, re repairs-request the repairs in writing, certified return receipt. Take pictures and date them. If the landlord does not respond, send a follow-up letter, again certified. If he ddoes not respond the second time, withhold the rent (put it in escrow), let him take you to court. You then have the solid ammunition you need (letter(s) and photos) to show cause as to why you didn't pay the rent. Do not make any repairs yourself. That's his job. Why improve his property for his and future ttenant's enjoyment out of your pocket??
You need to find out who owns the house. Ask any local court in your area where you can obtain that information - they should be able to direct you as to where you can obtain it - it's public record.
We had somewhat of the same problem (NJ) - only our landlord initially told us we "didn't have a fuse box." We also requested repairs and complained in writing (certifed), but landlords never complied. We had electrical problems galore; it wasn't until PSE&G came and found the fuse box - painted AND paneled over and a major fire hazard - prompted us to report them to the Zone officer, who found vios too numerous to mention, one of them being an illegal attic apt. When it was time to move, landlords tried to nick-pick; accused us of damages we didn't cause. They even threatened to take it out of our security. What they didn't realize was that if we'd taken them to court for touching our security, we'd have all the ammunition ready: copy of the zone officer's findings of his violations, and all of our (certified) complaint letters they never bothered to pick up at the post office.
Sorry this was long - but if I can enlighten anyone, I'm more than glad to do it.
Hi,
: If anyone can give me some good advice, I would greatly appreciate it!!! :)
: I rent in a legal 2 family house(3 bedrooms)in Queens, NY for 900.00 a month.
: The landowners are new Americans and have made comments in the past regarding our "American customs." This is just the mere tip of the iceburg as they refuse to fix anything unless they receive a 50 -75 dollar rent increase per year.
: As tenants, we truly try by replacing carpeting, plastering and painting.
: In the midst of all of this, our landlord confided in us that she can not afford the mortgage and has been accepted on public assistance. This might sound crazy, but I don't even know who actually own this house as we have no binding papers and we are told to make checks out to many different names.
: To make matters worse, we don't get an adequate amount of heat or hot water and are even getting sick from living here. I have
: called the different agencies about this matter but all seem to be on the
: landowners side.
: Also, a friend moved out of her 2 bedroom appartment about 6 months ago and the landlords sued her for damaging the appartment! She lost in court and I was told the judge did not even "want" to hear her side of the story.
: A few days ago, I met a nice man who lives next to her old landowners. What he said about the landowners shocked me! He said that these land owners actually tore their own property apart,took pictures of the so called "damage" that was done!!
: This is a sad world we live in when the low to middle working class can't
: even rent without fear and anxiety eating at their brains on a daily basis!
Follow Ups:
Note: Posting is disabled in all archives
Post a Followup