I am being harrassed by the landlord and his wife at the house I am currently renting in Hawaii. In the 4 months that I have been here they have popped by at least 5 times to do spot inspections and the last inspection they made an appointment and threatened a bunch of times to evict me if I had an attitude with them. I was also told that the neighbors are watching me and my childrens every move and reporting back to them. I am scared, this is my 1st time renting a house, and they basically run all over me. There is nothing wrong witht the house, I have always paid my rent in person on the 1st of the month and such. I need out of this lease. If anyone knows how I can get out of this lease early please tell me. I am scared for the safety and wellbeing of my children and myself. My husband is in Iraq while this is going on and I am at my wits end. PLEASE HELP!
2006-08-26 07:31:46 · 14 answers · asked by jasonsmotobabe 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Hawaii Landlord Tenant Laws and Statutes:
http://www.uslandlord.com/laws/histatelaw.html
Fair Housing Agency:
Civil Rights Commission
888 Mililani Street, 2nd Floor
Honolulu, Hi 96813
(808) 586-8636
Notice of Entry (how much notice the landlord has to give you to enter the premises): 2 Days
Lease Termination: 28 Days for tenant, 45 days for landlord (Hawaii Rev.Stat § 521-71)
Security Deposit: Must be returned within 14 days
Consumer Protection Office:
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Office of Consumer Protection
235 Beretania Street Room 801
Honolulu, HI 96812
(808) 586-2630
2006-08-26 07:40:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Definitely know your rights. What type of lease do you have? If you have a month to month tenancy then you can just give 30 days notice. If it is a fixed term, then make sure that you have been paying with checks and that you have proof that you have been paying your rent. NEVER withhold rent, that will give the LL grounds to evict you, ruin your credit rating and take away your credibility if this goes to court or mediation.
If you can get the military to intervene on your behalf I believe that would be the best route. Document all evidence of harassment and make an appt with your local Dept of Housing (or the Hawaiian equivalent) to file a charge of harassment. The LLs do NOT have the right to evict you for giving them "attitude"---but you can call them on their bluff. Not only will you be able to get out of your lease then, but you can add that to the case for harassment.
Good luck. Its really awful what these people are doing, especially to the family of someone serving in Iraq.
2006-08-26 08:01:36 · answer #2 · answered by shukuken 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
press charges. Document everything. Converstations, pop in visits and the like. If you are not delinquent, there should be no visits. Videotape every time they come, and let them know you are doing it. Legally, they can not evict you until your lease is expired.
What do you mean they watch your every move?? Video this as well. From what you are saying, this would constitute as harrassment, and you should get a judge to approve your complaint and enforce the lease.
check out www.nolo.com for landlord/tenant laws in your state.
2006-08-26 07:44:12 · answer #3 · answered by psychstudent 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree about finding the tenent/landlord laws for Hawaii, but since you are the wife of a deployed military man, is it possible you could get help from the military . . perhaps a letter to the landlord from the local Adj. Gen office. If you REALLY want to get out of the lease don't pay your rent. Use the $$ for another rental somewhere else.
2006-08-26 07:49:28 · answer #4 · answered by worldhq101 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would read your state's renter's rights. Each state has its own rules for what a renter is entitled to (same goes for the landlord).
As long as your rent is paid on time, you arent tearing the place apart, you keep it up (cleanlyness-wise, hard with little ones running around) then your landlord should not be treating you that way. Why on earth are they "spot inspecting" that much in 4 months?! What do they think your doing to the place?
2006-08-26 07:38:27 · answer #5 · answered by ~ Amanda ~ 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The land lord has NO right to inspect your house while you rent it. Even if it says so in the lease there are laws protecting renters. Next time they try to come over, tell them NO and tell them the police will be waiting for them when they get there.
2006-08-26 07:39:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The landlord has a right to protect his property.What does your lease say? Just don't renew it and move when it expires.Once a month visit is not harassment.As far as safety gos you should be glad someone is watching out for you.
2006-08-26 07:40:40 · answer #7 · answered by paulofhouston 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Call the police and get a lawyer or even a military official to help you, it will help make sure they wont harrass you. If you take legal action, the law system should side with you even though there is a contract (I think, not sure).
2006-08-26 07:37:52 · answer #8 · answered by 8 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to go to court and make sure you have plenty of evidence on the harassment and the judge will let you out of your lease. They have to give you a 24 hour notice to come into your home for anything unless of emergency i.e. there is water pouring out of the door and they need to stop the water flow.
2006-08-26 07:41:40 · answer #9 · answered by Cat D 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Contact the housing authorities through social services or legal aid. You can also contact women's rights or child protective services if you are afraid of the landlord. They can place you in another home/Apt. and hopefully get you out of the lease! God Bless and Good luck.
2006-08-26 07:58:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋