What should I do about my Landlord?

Question

I live with my boyfriend and his parents. We rent their basement and have three rooms down there. We agreed that back in feb. we would give $900 to fix up that area. They painted and put down carpet. The dad also said he would finish the rest of the basement with his own money. It has been six months and nothing's done. He stopped b/c I didn't speak to him as often as he liked, so he decided not to finish. There are lots of spiders crawling everywhere, and even mold growing around the room we sleep in. I haven't let him know b/c I found the mold today as well as a spider crawling on my bed when returning home at 12:30am from a 8 hour day. I cannot go to sleep in my bed and this is not the first time. He also verbally promised to seal and close any holes and they have not been done either. We have changed the rent so often for lack of quality. We now pay $225 apiece. It was wrong of him to stop b/c of personal reasons. And shouldn't he spray for us? Verbal agreement was broken 100%.

The thing is We brought it up about seeing lots of spiders and his parents are like"Oh...really?" We bought spray and they keep coming, and I told my b/f "they're coming b/c the rest of this place isn't finished only the three rooms." He puts a towel under the door to keep them out, but I disagree b/c what about the ones that are already in? Plus I think they can still get in right? I never had to live with pest and insects all over my stuff and don't want to start. The parents don't care b/c they don't have the problem upstairs. We can get something a little higher, but we just wanted to relax and save b/c of school, past bills and up in this town 1 bed. decent apts. can cost $855-990. That's way more then we pay here. We can get it but that was money we could have saved b/c of broken promises and failure to continue what he started. His father's the type that's ALWAYS RIGHT! He doesn't hear anything anybody else says. I'm scared to go to sleep and it's 4:48am, woke up at 11am tues.

Answer 1

If you do not want to move out, or cant because of convience and money issues, then my advice is that you should get a contract made up. ( professionally) Sit down with the parents and explain you and your boyfriends feelings. Tell them the problems in a nice, calm voice and ask them to sign the contract.(stating that he will follow through with the promises and you both will raise the rent for the months that it is being repaired only) After the contract has been signed, you shouldnt have to worry about it. If they refuse to sign, I would suggest finding other places to live. It is their responsiblity, as the landlord, to take care of this issue. If they do sign and they still will not work on the problems, then I believe that you can take them to court, but not on verbal promises.

Answer 2

Even if you have to pay more money for a place, isn't it worth the peace of mind to have pests not crawling all over you? You may even be able to rent from other home owners in the way you rent from your Bf's parents, except they would be more business about it because that's how they would make their money. Anyway, it's obvious the situation isn't working for you guys. I've been there scraping by and it makes it mega hard to save. So try to look for some creative places to rent from, as long as you are renting from somebody else! You never know what's out there unless you try!

Answer 3

Well you need to get out of there, if you are and your boyfriend are both paying 225 each, I am sure you can find something around that. I would not live where I didn't feel safe or for that matter with my boyfriends family, it will end up in them not liking you and it will not be your fault but that is a bad thing.

I would suggest not saying anything, your boyfriend will blame you for it later if you hurt his parents, I would save up and move out of there.
Good Luck and try to keep the peace till you can move, because it is obvious he doesn't care how you feel.

Answer 4

Chances are you're not going to find a place in any better condition for the price you're paying. You probably know that, and that's why you stay. Since it's a family based agreement, you should probably have your boyfriend talk to his father. If he can't, won't, or dad doesn't respond, either move out or learn to life with the old rule that you get what you pay for.

Answer 5

You two need to move out. For that kind of money, you can find an apartment somewhere, even if it's just a studio. Get away from family members with such difficult ways.

And don't pay anything to upgrade the house; it is their house and they need to handle their own affairs. They can rent it out to someone else after they fix it up properly.

Answer 6

Take you losses and move. I found out a long time ago never work for or do any business with family. This is basically your family.
Have you spoke to your boyfriend about this? Does he dismiss it because it is his dad? Move out on your own it will be much easier on you.
Or put up with what you have been putting up with and do not expect change. You are seeing the true colors of the family you got yourself into.
Good luck with this! What a situation!

Answer 7

I hear you, but Verbal Agreements aren't enforceable. I would give youre Dad a 30-Day Notice To Vacate, if he doesn't inquire about any problems, or act like he gives a damn, then I would boogie.You know he's got to be fond of the additional $500. per month! Feel him out. It does sound like you are paying too much!

Answer 8

Your Boy Friend should handle the whole thing. You shouldn't have to worry your pretty little Head About it. Let your Boy Friend make all the decisions and if you don't like his decisions - you know the remedy -
no more loving, Put the screws on.
If the spiders don't go away - move back home.

Answer 9

Easy, communication is the point. Talk to him on what you feel. Else, move out.

Answer 10

move out!!! thats disgusting!