(no subject)

[wildflowersoul]

I am seriously starting to freak out about our landlord situation. I'm really worried that they're going to say we have to move in May, and we just don't have the financial flexibility to handle all the expenses of moving right now. Not to mention that glances at Craigslist reveal that the apartment market in the area is getting more expensive again, and there's nothing around Davis for under $1300/1350 a month. It's also the not knowing that's killing me, I really need the guy to call and let us know one way or the other very soon (I called on Tuesday, and he said he needed to talk to Old Guy about it, and would call back "in a few days"). It's all the more frustrating because I'm guessing the big problem is the bunnies, and we were so honest and up-front about them before moving in. In fact, we even had the realtor double check just to be absolutely sure they knew about the bunnies and didn't mind, because we wanted to avoid something like this happening. Not to mention that Old Guy has probably been sneaking into our apartment while we're not there, which is totally illegal and downright rude. And for the love of all that's holy, some food splatters on the stove do not mean that the stove is broken! Poor tenillypo had to listen to his insane ramblings about us this weekend when she went to feed the buns, and he was complaining that we had broken the stove. wtf? He was also angry that we had left our rent check for March a few days early and didn't tell him we were leaving town for a couple of days. *primal scream* There. I feel a little better getting that out of my system. Here's hoping we find out soon.

UPDATE
The younger landlord called, said it's a no-go. I blubbered and cried and cajoled, and he said he'd call his dad and talk to him and call me back. It's not looking good, folks. I doubt that all the tears in world can warm the old guy's cold, cold heart.

Comments

[futurenurselady.livejournal.com]

Maybe this man has Alzheimer's or some other form of dementia. Maybe the family needs to get him checked and he will be the one moving out. Who knows? At any rate, good luck.

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

He's pretty damn spry. Must be the gallon of Ernst & Julio a week that keeps him going... He is actually quite with it, he's just the crankiest man alive. He probably does have some serious OCD going on, which explains the cleanliness freak out.

[fuck-hugh.livejournal.com]

What are you looking for in an apartment? I know someone who found a place about as big as our place (950 sq ft. or so) for $900 with utilities included near Davis. After shopping for multi-family homes in your area, I can tell you that there is a wide range in the rents people pay for the same space and location so you can probably negotiate to get them down into your price range. As I understand it, its a renters market.

Chances are your landlord doesn't want to get rid of you because its a pain to get new people in and as long as you are good about paying the rent, it shouldn't matter what pets you keep around. He might be pissed off and crazy but chances are he will realize that its better to keep people around who pay then take your chances with someone who won't.

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

We're looking for 2 bedrooms, no more than a 12-15 minute walk to the T, and bunny friendly (this time preferably without lying about being bunny friendly). We're paying $1200/mo. right now, and I'm not seeing anything meeting limit for 2 beds... but I guess we'll find out, as he has made the decision that he'd deal with new people than us. =(

[fuck-hugh.livejournal.com]

Are you attached to a particular area or is anything by the T fine?

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

We're pretty attached to the Davis/Porter area.

[fuck-hugh.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you are currently in a pretty good situation in terms of the actual cost of your rent.

In JP you can get a big place for 1200-1300 easy. If you want to consider it I would recommend this agency: www.jprentals.com. I worked with them when I first moved to the area and ended up in such a great place that everyone couldn't believe I didn't live in the area before finding it.

Otherwise, your best bet is to call a bunch of agencies and go that route.

[cosmicserpent.livejournal.com]

Is your lease up in May? I just assume everyone has a Sept one.

[c-m-i.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we broke the lease in the old place when our landlord sold it. The new one wanted to do some repairs, so was cool with it.

I'm really curious how long the previous tenents in our current place where there. They had a baby that Cranky loathed, so if they were able to renew, so shall we.

[cosmicserpent.livejournal.com]

I doubt he wouldn't let you renew. Sounds like the landlord just is a bitter old pill and loves complaining about anything and everything just so people will talk to him.

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

Maybe that's it. He's so cranky! And he insists on calling Drew "That Guy."

[mrs-muffin.livejournal.com]

Ugh. Jennie, that sucks. I can certainly sympathize that there is nothing worse than drama in the living situation. Just to stay on the side of caution, I would start documenting your conversations with him and take some pictures of the apartment. I feel like there's some kind of law about having valid reasons for not renewing a lease. You should contact the local Tennants Association and see what they have to say. Also, if he's enterting your apartment without your permission, and it sounds like he is since he knows what your stove looks like, that's just wrong. And creepy. I wonder if you could rent one of those nanny cams or something to try to catch him. Maybe that's extreme, but if you think he's going to throw you out, I'd try whatever I could. You do have rights, though, so check on what they are before you get too worried.

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

I think that if they don't want to renew, they don't have to, I can't find anything to the contrary. I just really hate feeling like we're being punished for something, when we haven't done anything wrong. I mean, the guy got mad that we paid our rent early, just in case something went wrong with our flight home. That's just weird.

Sigh. Thanks for the comforting words, though. It really helps to vent and have people listen.

[mrs-muffin.livejournal.com]

Well, I've been there, so you have my utter empathy. He'd be a total fool though to get rid of you in May. You pay your rent on time, you're decent tenants. It's not so easy to fill an apartment at this time of year and the market isn't so great right now for landlords. Do you think he'd be receptive at all to a talk? This probably isn't your style, but I've found crying works well ;)

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

Crying is so my style. If it comes to that, there will be many tears. =)

[mrs-muffin.livejournal.com]

Doesn't this renting shit make you reeeeeealy want a house?

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

Well, the waterworks just turned on full force.

They at least convinced the younger guy to call his dad back and talk to him again.

[tenillypo.livejournal.com]

Oh no! So the answer is no, then? Bastardo!

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

The answer is he's a big old jerk.

I'm waiting for the son to call me back, my tears frightened him into calling his dad about it.

*** that's us kissing our honeymoon goodbye.

[tenillypo.livejournal.com]

What a nasty old fucker! There is no reason to not renew your lease! Keep us posted if he calls you back.
*hugs*

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

Will do. Whaaaaaaahhh!! I just hate moving so much, this is going to suck big time.

Plus, if I hadn't called them to find this all out, when on earth were they going to tell us???!! We didn't pay a security deposit, and I am so tempted to leave a big steming pile of bunny droppings in the middle of the floor after we leave. Look at that bunny face- how can anyone hate that little face?

[mrs-muffin.livejournal.com]

Aw geez, Jen. This totally sucks. At the very least, you have me and Allastair to help you guys move if it comes to that. I'm sorry =(

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

We may just take you up on that. =\ We'd be getting movers for the big stuff, but probably begging for some help moving smaller loads over when the time comes. I'm so nervous to hear what the younger guy has to say when he calls today. Maybe they'll just want us to pay a security deposit (*crosses fingers*).

[komos.livejournal.com]

Unless your lease has a "free and private use" clause, I think he does have right to enter the apartment at will. It's creepy, but I don't think that there's anything to legally prevent him from being there. What he could get himself in trouble over is discussing your status with people visiting your apartment.

Not sure though... maybe ask Pete next time you see him?

Who needs Pete when there is Google!

[cosmicserpent.livejournal.com]

Rights Against Unlawful Entry: Your landlord, or an agent for your landlord, may only enter your apartment for the following reasons:

to inspect the premises;
to make repairs;
to show the apartment to a prospective tenant, purchaser, mortgagee or its agents;
in accordance with a court order;
if the premises appear to be abandoned, or
to inspect the premises within the last 30 days of tenancy in order to determine the amount of damage to be deducted from the security deposit.

The landlord should be reasonable and attempt to arrange a mutually convenient time to visit the apartment. If the landlord insists on entering your apartment in an unreasonable fashion, you may file for a temporary restraining order at your local district court. (M.G.L. c. 186 §§ 14 and 15B)

Re: Who needs Pete when there is Google!

[komos.livejournal.com]

Right, but entering the apartment while they are away to "inspect the premises" pretty well covers what he's done. It may not have been arranged, but it would be hard to argue that it was an unreasonable entry.

[cosmicserpent.livejournal.com]

I guess the argument one would make would be based on unreasonability of the Landlord.

Re: Who needs Pete when there is Google!

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

Exactly.

I don't even want to start a fight about that (or about complaining about us to my friend, and then after that telling her she "doesn't have to tell us about it"). I just want to make peace and stay there!

[tenillypo.livejournal.com]

Aw, hon. I really hope they let you renew. Hopefully the grandson is more reasonable and able to appreciate that you guys are good tenants.
*crossing fingers*

[starflow.livejournal.com]

Oh man, this totally sucks, Jen. A little silver lining: not living in a house with such an unreasonable owner will probably be more comfortable anyway.

I totally understand the monetary worry. Maybe you could ask for a six-month lease, explaining that you're getting married in June and it's just not a good time for you to move. A short extension with a promise that you will move at the end of it might be the best way to go.

[wisdom-seeker.livejournal.com]

What she said...

Sorry, too...

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

Thanks

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

I can definitely see a bunch of possible silver linings in this horribly expensive cloud. Maybe we could even find a place with laundry in the building (that they'll let us use). It's just the worst timing in the world for this to be happening, but we'll get through it. We're going to see what kind of offer they make us today, and go from there. They might just extend the lease for a few months, but we really like being off the student moving schedule. Thanks for the words of comfort, though!

[phlosphr.livejournal.com]

Jeez, this sounds nightmarish. And you tried warming his heart with a cool island song? Since I'm not in the Beantown area, I'm not privy to all the details - what is his actual stated reason for not considering renewing?

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

It's basically just the bunnies. When we moved in, we made extra sure that they knew about the bunnies and that bunnies wouldn't be a problem. About 2 months after we moved in, the old guy (1 of our 2 landlords) came downstairs and said we couldn't keep the bunnies. Then he said we could but we had to clean their litter twice a week. Now that don't want to renew because they don't want bunnies in the house. But they knew about the frickin' bunnies before we moved in!!!! They said it wasn't a problem. The old guy is also just super crotchety and cranky and complains about everything. I guess we're also not up to snuff with his OCD cleaning habits, so he thinks we're messy, too. It looks like our negotiation will involve hiring cleaning people for the next year. You know, thinking back to our Nichols Street apt. sophmore year, I've got to say that this guy knows nothing about messes I'm capable of making =)

[phlosphr.livejournal.com]

Nichols St, ahh that brings back memories...! We were all spilling our cornflakes, it's ok. Well, if there's written record of him not complaining about something he's now complaining about, you have the right to declare shenanigans. Nichols St....

[knome.livejournal.com]

You need to get the 'bunny exemption' on a lease rider in WRITING when you rent. We did that with our place in Cambridge and our cats, and the landlord was ok with signing a rider that stipulated we could have 2 cats. This also protects you somewhat from damage claims due to animals if the 'damage' is actually 'normal use' from animal occupation. Things like carpet twiggles here and there, etc.