This site is closed to new comments and posts.

Notice: This site uses cookies to function.
If you are not comfortable with cookies then please don't browse this website.

Landlord/Tenant Disputes for Small Apartment Advice — Brooklynian

Landlord/Tenant Disputes for Small Apartment Advice

pizzazer
pizzazer
edited November -1 in Park Slope
I'm having some issues with my landlord (long story and I'm too worked up to type out the details - basically, he's reneging on work that he verbally committed to).

Does anybody have advice for me? I'm already keeping a log of dates/times/conversations, etc.

I don't think that the city gets involved in something like this as I am living in a private, 2-family house.

Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • linusvanpelt
    linusvanpelt
    Small landlords are still subject to the law, although the rules and obligations vary. It's hard to say much more with the lack of detail, but offhand, reneging on promised work does not sound legally actionable if it's not work required by law (e.g., if it doesn't involve getting you required heat, hot water, etc.). I suppose there may be a civil case if you've paid for the promised work, but seems tough to prove beyond the documentation you say you've done.

    Or do you just want to know how you can persuade / threaten LL to follow through, like by saying you'll move out otherwise?
  • nepstein
    nepstein
    More of the latter.

    I'm starting to communicate to him via writing so I can have evidence of what he's saying.

    He is a bit unstable and started a screaming match with me last night over work that he's put off and off and off and off. He has every single excuse in the book and is making and then missing appointments he makes with me (at his convenience) to do the work.

    I'm also taking pictures of things like peeling paint, and there are no carbon monoxide monitors, etc.

    Basically, I am:

    a) trying to get him to do the work that he promised over 18 moths ago
    b) trying to figure out a way to stop acting like a bully who can get over on me because he's a man and bigger than me. Basically, his broken record is "I'll raise the rent" and not allow you a new lease, but his physical appearance and demeanor are quite scary and I'm often in the house alone.

    There are 1000 reasons why I like it here, and he is only here temporarily, but I want this shit done and I don't want to have a sense of fear and unease in my apartment.

    Make any sense?
  • armchair_warrior
    armchair_warrior
    guy sounds like a jack ass. do you really want to live in a place with a bad landlord? unless the rent is super cheap. other wise if its market rate. just change places. people move out all the time.
  • sg
    sg
    Rent is cheap, space is tremendous. I've been here almost 9 years. LL is actually the son of the owner. He's in town due to family emergency - so, this is not an everyday occurance.

    Lots of other factors where financially not a good time for me to move.

    I love it here. He, on the other hand, is a total fucking asshat
  • stacey
    stacey

    Subject: Re: Landlord/Tenant Disputes for Small Apartment Advice

    Flexichick wrote: Rent is cheap, space is tremendous. I've been here almost 9 years. LL is actually the son of the owner. He's in town due to family emergency - so, this is not an everyday occurance.

    Lots of other factors where financially not a good time for me to move.

    I love it here. He, on the other hand, is a total fucking asshat
    If the son is only temporary - how temporary? Is the original landlord a nice/reasonable person? Are the problems minor (carbon monoxide detectors/peeling paint)? Carbon Monoxide detectors are only about $35 and as for paint - purchase the paint and have a paint party with friends. If it is ony these minor things and the owner is a reasonable person I suggest not to fight with the son, make the repairs/purchases yourself and then present the bill to the owner. He could reimburse you or credit it on your rent.
  • summer b
    summer b
    Kitchen floor needed to be replaced. After a year and a half, he finally started doing it. Now he's left it unfinished with no commitment to get it done (and I've been extra-flexible about saying "tell me when it works for you"......but he makes appts. and then blows them off and messes up my day waiting for him).

    The ceiling (finally painted the whole apt. in Oct after 8 years), has a huge water stain (and uneven texture).

    There is what I believe to be lead paint (house is 100 years old) coming down from the skylight. Nothing I could reach or do with friends.

    I think he'll be here for at least a few more weeks.

    At this point, I would do it myself and/or hire somebody and present the bill. I suggested that to him as he can't seem to manage to get it done and he said no way would he be paying for anybody to do work. Asshat!

    The larger issue now is the intimidation factor. Having him flip his lid and go crazy screaming at me and then sleeping on the floor below me with nobody else here makes me nervous.

    I think I may need to have a large male friend stay over for a while and deal with him directly.
  • carnivore
    carnivore

    Subject: Re: Landlord/Tenant Disputes for Small Apartment Advice

    Flexichick wrote: Kitchen floor needed to be replaced. After a year and a half, he finally started doing it. Now he's left it unfinished with no commitment to get it done (and I've been extra-flexible about saying "tell me when it works for you"......but he makes appts. and then blows them off and messes up my day waiting for him).

    The ceiling (finally painted the whole apt. in Oct after 8 years), has a huge water stain (and uneven texture).

    There is what I believe to be lead paint (house is 100 years old) coming down from the skylight. Nothing I could reach or do with friends.

    I think he'll be here for at least a few more weeks.

    At this point, I would do it myself and/or hire somebody and present the bill. I suggested that to him as he can't seem to manage to get it done and he said no way would he be paying for anybody to do work. Asshat!

    The larger issue now is the intimidation factor. Having him flip his lid and go crazy screaming at me and then sleeping on the floor below me with nobody else here makes me nervous.

    I think I may need to have a large male friend stay over for a while and deal with him directly.
    get a lawyer and start holding your rent in an escrow account until the appropriate repairs are completed.
  • linusvanpelt
    linusvanpelt

    Subject: Re: Landlord/Tenant Disputes for Small Apartment Advice

    Carnivore wrote:
    get a lawyer and start holding your rent in an escrow account until the appropriate repairs are completed.
    I wouldn't. Or at least wd consult with the lawyer before witholding rent. Unless you can determine LL is violating housing regs -- and I'm not certain that peeling paint, crappy floor and water stain in a non-rent-stab apt counts -- you may be establishing grounds for eviction. OK to play that game of chicken if you're willing to move, but sounds like not.

    Honestly, if you're renting below market I don't think threats will get you anywhere. I tend to agree with the advice to deal with the father and not the son if you can, even if it means waiting a few weeks.
  • armchair_warrior
    armchair_warrior

    Subject: Re: Landlord/Tenant Disputes for Small Apartment Advice

    linusvanpelt wrote: [quote=Carnivore]
    get a lawyer and start holding your rent in an escrow account until the appropriate repairs are completed.
    I wouldn't. Or at least wd consult with the lawyer before witholding rent. Unless you can determine LL is violating housing regs -- and I'm not certain that peeling paint, crappy floor and water stain in a non-rent-stab apt counts -- you may be establishing grounds for eviction. OK to play that game of chicken if you're willing to move, but sounds like not.

    Honestly, if you're renting below market I don't think threats will get you anywhere. I tend to agree with the advice to deal with the father and not the son if you can, even if it means waiting a few weeks.

    yeah the lawyer angle is too risky. best just deal with the father. since you are geting cheap rent. you dont want to antagonise them. usually some people would do stupid stuff on principal and they could try to kick you out on that.
  • linusvanpelt
    linusvanpelt
    btw, LL can legally charge you $25 for a CO detector he installs (and you're right, he is supposed to), so in terms of $$$ and safety, if not principle, ypou may as well DIY -- it'll cost you the same amount oor less.
  • jeweldaisy5
    jeweldaisy5
    There are many good points here. Thanks for the different point of views.

    He's just such a slacker and he makes commitments to make repairs and then backs out and comes up with every excuse under the book. Makes appointments and doesn't keep them, is quick to anger, can't have a real dialogue without a confrontation, etc.

    Hopefully the landlord (his mother) will be back in a few weeks and he can leave again.

    When my lease is up (in 18 months) I will make sure I'm in a position to move, because it's not worth the headache
  • armchair_warrior
    armchair_warrior

    Subject: Re: Landlord/Tenant Disputes for Small Apartment Advice

    Flexichick wrote: There are many good points here. Thanks for the different point of views.

    He's just such a slacker and he makes commitments to make repairs and then backs out and comes up with every excuse under the book. Makes appointments and doesn't keep them, is quick to anger, can't have a real dialogue without a confrontation, etc.

    Hopefully the landlord (his mother) will be back in a few weeks and he can leave again.

    When my lease is up (in 18 months) I will make sure I'm in a position to move, because it's not worth the headache
    good for you, you shouldnt deal with jerks like this. hope your next place in about a year is better than this guy. not worth your time or emtional stress thinking he might hurt you etc...
Sign In or Register to comment.

Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In

Categories