Lets say, the Landlord did not fix the heat, Does that cancel your contract? Can you move out of the house inmeadiatly without running the chance he keeps your deposit. The landlord calls your boss and tells everybody at work you did not pay last months rent. Is this okay?
2006-06-23 12:17:12 · 12 answers · asked by Kelly,TX 4 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Thank you very much, this not happening to me is happening in my husbands work, one of his coworker, too young to know the right thing to do and in top of it all getting screwed:(
2006-06-23 12:34:28 · update #1
Check it out:
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/AG_Publications/txts/tenant.shtml
Here is the info right from the horse's mouth.
2006-06-23 12:21:11 · answer #1 · answered by NoWayOut 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I don't know about in Texas, but in Nebraska, that's illegal. I would check with the Better Business Bureau and an attorney. If he does not fix the heat that does not cancel your lease. If you decide to move out without giving him say a 30-day notice, there is a possibility that he will keep your deposit. Even with an advanced notice, though, some landlords are just greedy enough to keep them anyway, so cover your bases (make sure the apartment is as clean if not cleaner than when you moved in, there are no holes or damages that occurred during your lease, etc. And No, you can file harassment charges against the landlord for calling your boss and fellow employees. It is not any of their business. Now collection agencies, if they have your work phone number, have been known to contact you at work &/or speak to your supervisor. But, in that case, simply advise them NOT to call you at work. If they persist, files charges against them as well. Sounds like you have a first class jerk for a landlord. You have my sympathy. I would certainly file not only the harassment charges, but also punitive damages (the stress it all has caused you....lost wages maybe if its stopped you from going to work). An attorney can help with that. Can't afford an attorney? Check with the legal aid in your area. Could be you would qualify for that and if not, lots of attorneys give you a free consult and then will always accept payments. Good luck!
2006-06-23 19:27:29 · answer #2 · answered by kath68142 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to get out of your lease because your landlord did not fix the heat, you have to first notify the landlord in writing. Verbal is not good enough. To prove you sent the notice, send this certified mail, return receipt requested. Then you have to give the landlord a chance, after your written notice, to fix the heat. If they fail to fix the heat then you have grounds to not pay the rent PROVIDED YOU PUT THE RENT MONEY INTO A SEPARATE SAVINGS ACCOUNT! This proves that you could have paid the rent, but withheld it due to your landlord failing to make essential repairs.
If you don't do this, and just move out, the landlord can keep your deposit, and sue you for the rent due for the remainder of the lease. Just moving out will not cancel your lease.
As a creditor, the landlord can call you at work to get the money he is owed. He shouldn't have told everyone at your work this, though. If he has another phone number (your home number) to contact you, you can tell him not to call you at work.
2006-06-23 19:31:18 · answer #3 · answered by Mama Pastafarian 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is illegal what the landlord is doing and you can have someone repair the problem and deduct it from the rent if after a *reasonable* time, the landlord fails to repair the heat. In fact, a residential place needs to have windows, heater and other stuff to be considered a legal residence.
Regards
2006-06-23 20:55:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well technically, if you have requested he repair the heat and he has not responded you can call a contractor to repair it and deduct the cost of repairs from your rent. You just need to send the receipt with the balance of the rent. It is also very illegal of him to call your employer to say you are a deadbeat. Very Very illegal.
From Your Humble Realtor.
2006-06-23 19:23:32 · answer #5 · answered by Not Tellin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is not okay. Contact your state attourney general about it. You can probably get away with breaking your rental contract because of the heat, but don't expect to get your deposit back.
2006-06-23 19:21:54 · answer #6 · answered by Norm 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No ,, it is not legal to harrass you at your work,, i would call the securty where you work ,or call the police, you do have a right to work without being harrassed
2006-06-23 19:22:53 · answer #7 · answered by coacht 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
of corse honey! harassment is illegal rither way if you dont like it and take it as a harrasment then yea its illegal, and no that okay about the boss thingy and jod stuff
2006-06-23 19:23:55 · answer #8 · answered by stupidandsmart101 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not really legal, but theyre not going to get into any trouble over it. Pay your bills.
-J.
2006-06-23 19:21:02 · answer #9 · answered by Jason 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well as the saying goes...every thing is fair in love and war....and i suppose this is war....
you need to call your ex land-lord'wife and tell her ..he was getting fresh with you.....hunnnnn
2006-06-23 19:22:36 · answer #10 · answered by kaka90250 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋