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My landlord’s a sly one. At least, HE thinks so.
In February, the building I live in got bought from the old landlord, who was a fairly responsible property owner. The new guy…. Not so much. Now, the grass doesn’t get cut. The walks don’t get shoveled. Etc, etc.
He also has the bad habit of letting himself in when I’m not there. I actually caught him at it one night, when I came home from work early only to find him in my living room. There was some half-assed excuse that the downstairs neighbors had been complaining of a water leak, but fat chance finding any plumbing in the LIVING ROOM (I later did ask the downstairs neighbors whether they’d complained of a water leak – they knew nothing about it.)
Mr. Landlord has been made quite aware that if I catch him in my home again without a legitimate excuse, he would have a very long, very expensive hospital stay.
His latest stunt, though, is a scam attempt.
Okay, the rent is a monthly thing. The agreement we have is that the rent is due on the 5th of the month – EVERY month. This is regardless of whether there are 28, 29, 30, or 31 days in the month. So rent is paid 12 times annually. Pretty much the standard arrangement, right?
What he’s trying to do, however, is convince me there are actually 13 ‘monthly’ periods in a year. Because, his logic is there are four weeks in a month, and because there are 52 weeks in a year, there should be a 13th rent payment each year.
Perhaps he’s right, but that’s not the way the agreement is worded. The agreement is worded the 5TH of every month. There are twelve months in a year. It’s been that way since, like, forever. And it’s not likely to change anytime soon.
When I called this discrepancy to his attention, he just waved his hand dismissively and said, and I quote “I don’t care what that agreement says.”
Really? Are you SURE? Is that your FINAL answer? Because guaranteed the courts are going to look at what’s on the agreement, and NOT your half-assed view of the calendar.
I’m under no misconception that this is over. He’ll just raise the rent now. But now the rent hike will be ‘official’ and he’ll have to pay taxes on it. The ‘13th month’ strategy, I’m pretty damned sure, was going to be ‘off the books’. And I’m pretty sure I don’t want to live here any more anyway.
In February, the building I live in got bought from the old landlord, who was a fairly responsible property owner. The new guy…. Not so much. Now, the grass doesn’t get cut. The walks don’t get shoveled. Etc, etc.
He also has the bad habit of letting himself in when I’m not there. I actually caught him at it one night, when I came home from work early only to find him in my living room. There was some half-assed excuse that the downstairs neighbors had been complaining of a water leak, but fat chance finding any plumbing in the LIVING ROOM (I later did ask the downstairs neighbors whether they’d complained of a water leak – they knew nothing about it.)
Mr. Landlord has been made quite aware that if I catch him in my home again without a legitimate excuse, he would have a very long, very expensive hospital stay.
His latest stunt, though, is a scam attempt.
Okay, the rent is a monthly thing. The agreement we have is that the rent is due on the 5th of the month – EVERY month. This is regardless of whether there are 28, 29, 30, or 31 days in the month. So rent is paid 12 times annually. Pretty much the standard arrangement, right?
What he’s trying to do, however, is convince me there are actually 13 ‘monthly’ periods in a year. Because, his logic is there are four weeks in a month, and because there are 52 weeks in a year, there should be a 13th rent payment each year.
Perhaps he’s right, but that’s not the way the agreement is worded. The agreement is worded the 5TH of every month. There are twelve months in a year. It’s been that way since, like, forever. And it’s not likely to change anytime soon.
When I called this discrepancy to his attention, he just waved his hand dismissively and said, and I quote “I don’t care what that agreement says.”
Really? Are you SURE? Is that your FINAL answer? Because guaranteed the courts are going to look at what’s on the agreement, and NOT your half-assed view of the calendar.
I’m under no misconception that this is over. He’ll just raise the rent now. But now the rent hike will be ‘official’ and he’ll have to pay taxes on it. The ‘13th month’ strategy, I’m pretty damned sure, was going to be ‘off the books’. And I’m pretty sure I don’t want to live here any more anyway.
who will make you go to court for deposits. I agree with going over his head, if possible. Also consider some kind of video security system. Tell me your valuables are secured (preferably off-site).
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