I rented ahouse for 2 yrs I moved out because my landlord was really mean to me when my husband was not at home.When I moved in I signed a 1 yr lease and he told me to hang as much stuff on the walls as I wanted because he was going to have to paint when I moved out.He would show up all the time with no notice to go through the house and during the summer he would come and hook up my water hose and water his plants for 1 and a half hours a week even though I was the one paying the water bill. One day he came over and was being an *** so I told him we were moving and he said ok so 4 days later I moved.The day we moved I cleaned the house and mowed the yard.Now he is threatning to take me to court.He kept my $400 deposit and says I owe him $317 he is charging me $97 for paint and $200 for labor for painting and cleaning I don't think I should have to pay because the house c=was clean when I left and he said when I moved in he was going to paint when I left anyway.
2006-08-24 01:34:37 · 11 answers · asked by ladybug1976 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Here are links to your states landlord tenant rights/laws.
http://www.ag.state.ar.us/consumer/tenant.html
http://www.uslandlord.com/laws/ar.html
Legal info regarding your situation is free by contacting your Fair Housing Agency contact info available in the last link.
Unfortunately, 4 days notice is insufficient to terminate lease and receive your deposit. Did you get your bill in 30 days (you can lie like they would and say you didn't get it) Your not responsible for wear and tear(the paint is not your obligation) only damages.
If you now live more than 100 miles away he can serve you (to go to court) but legally you don't have to appear and they can't enter a judgment against you.
2006-08-31 07:57:27 · answer #1 · answered by Truyer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read your lease there should be a cleaning fee clause you pre paid for, for the painting, and any thing else that had to fixed due to normal wear and tear. As for the watering do you have proof (dates and times)? I have rented before and the landlord HAS to give at least 24 hour notice before enetering you home even though he owns it, I hope you have dates on them also, and i would let him take you to court and next time video tape the house when moving in and when leaving it works great in court good luck!!
2006-08-24 08:42:17 · answer #2 · answered by Trish C 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all you need EVERYTHING in writing. People are not honest. They'll tell you one thing and do another.....especially when it comes to money. Some people are just assholes and it sounds like this guy is. I don't like anyone coming into my home when I am paying my rent on time and not giving him any reason to do so. As far as coming and watering, using the water you are paying for would make me mad too. Just count it as a lesson well learned and be glad to be out of there!
2006-08-30 19:28:31 · answer #3 · answered by wolverine1usa2002 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You did not read the contract to lease -- your fault
anytime you lease or rent a house or apartment read the contract I read everything on the contracts that I sign(or
don't sign) You can ask for changes before signing.
Onc eyou sign the contract then it becomes a legal document and you must abide by that agreement or be in breech of a legal contract......
I get away with a lot here at the apartments where I live
because I read the lease prior to signing and had them change a couple of things to my benefit before signing,
changing the air conditioner filter for instance the contract said that it must be changed once a month,but did not say who had to change it (3.00 x 12 = $36.00)
I had them say that the apartments would change it.
the carpets must be cleaned twice a year (199.00x2=$398.00) had that changed to their cleaning it.
there were six changes in all to my contract saving me OVER a $1000.00 A YEAR
2006-08-24 08:53:43 · answer #4 · answered by maruawe@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take him to small claims court. You could entitled to 3 times what he's ripping you off for. The Deceptive Trade Act is pretty well know throughout the country.
2006-08-30 15:55:35 · answer #5 · answered by Frank R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
call my friend debbi, she might be able to put u in touch with an attorney . she helped me and i only pay $17.00 a month .
her number is 1-866-471-3782. or you can go to her website and sign up, or ask questions it's www.debbicarroll.com.tell her that mark told you to call her . good luck
2006-08-29 12:16:51 · answer #6 · answered by Mark 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I AM NOT SURE BUT IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE YOU HAVE ALREADY PAID WITH YOUR 400.00 DEP. THAT IS WHAT A DEP. IS FOR SO CALL THE FAIR HOUSING DEPT. IN THE STATE OF ARK. AND THEY WILL DIRECT YOU TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE YOU NEED TO TALK WITH GOOD LUCK. PS SOUNDS LIKE YOU NEED TO TAKE HIM TO COURT FOR HARRASMENT,
2006-08-30 19:57:01 · answer #7 · answered by redgranny6inall 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do you have photos of what you did. Or if you have it in writing that he was going to paint. If you do go to one of the TV judges.
2006-08-24 08:42:35 · answer #8 · answered by UTGirl34 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sue him for harassment, and stealing your water, call a lawyer, maybe you can't win, but you can make his life miserable,.
2006-08-31 17:26:07 · answer #9 · answered by sapphire 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He screwed you.Not much you can do.
Next time you rent a place,if you want that deposit back
paint it yourself.
2006-08-31 08:05:53 · answer #10 · answered by moebiusfox 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋