ok, i just got this place and moved in last night. the agreement with the land lord was to pay 1st, mot and last monthrent + security. fine. so before i moved in i gave him 1st onths rennt. i told him the day i moved in i would pay the last months rent. but, was supposed to clean the carpets or get new ones, they smell like cat piss. well, guss what i got there this morning and the whole damn apt reaks like it. so, should i pay him last months rent in full, or pay half until the problem is fixed ? help
2006-12-01 03:05:24 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
go ahead and pay all that you agreed to, then if he doesn't fix the carpets at least you have done your part of the agreement and it will be in your favor if you have to take legal actions, or find out if he will waive the last months for you to have the carpet cleaned, it would end up being cheaper for you doing it that way. good luck.
2006-12-01 03:19:53 · answer #1 · answered by daniel h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must fulfill your contract or you may endanger your credibility.
Unfortunately your landlord has the upper hand unless you obtained in writing that he would clean the smell of cat urine from the apartment. A tenant cannot legally withhold rent to get their landlord do something. That's like withholding your car payment from the bank because you are unhappy with their services. They will simply take your car away.
Cat urine is an awful smell to remove. If cats have peed freely in the apartment the subfloor will also need replaced which is no simple task. Initially the new carpet smell will mask the underlying cat pee, but if it has soaked through to the subfloor, the smell will eventually creep through and permeate the apartment once again.
The chances of your landlord doing this may be slim. It is in your best interest to fulfill the terms of your lease agreement, to put you in a favourable position if you need to pursue legal action.
2006-12-01 03:19:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should pay the rent that you owe, it will keep you out of trouble. You should inform him that you need the aparment in a better condition. If he does not fix the situation quickly, tell him you are going to report the situation to the local housing authorities.
Another potential solution is agreeing with your landlord that you will get the work done and the expense will be credited towards your next months rent. If you have an agreement of a rent credit, get it in WRITING.
2006-12-01 03:10:08 · answer #3 · answered by VATreasures 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends where you are, certain states have more laws protecting tenants than landlord, but you might want to make sure that is your case. In MAss I know you can deny paying rent money if you have things in the house that needs fixing. So if this is the case in your state, you can certainly withold money. I would, just to cover your bases, have in writting that you are witholding money for that reason and you will pay as soon as he fixes it, or you will fix yourself and deduct from the rent money. So check what are the laws, and if it is allowed I would certainly go that route. If he didn't keep his word, you have no reason to believe he will ever do what he promissed.
Housing authorities might not do anything unless there is a health issue (and smel is not really a health issue).
2006-12-01 03:18:04 · answer #4 · answered by dahfna 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldnt pay anything til the carpet is taken care of. Next time get everything in writing.
Good Luck!
2006-12-01 03:08:29 · answer #5 · answered by jwils509 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The carpets should be cleaned (and deodorized, if necessary) before you talk about paying the last month.
2006-12-01 03:21:37 · answer #6 · answered by Paul 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask him if you can take the cleaning out of what you owe. Don't pay until he does what he promised. Be prepared to move. You are dealing with a liar.
2006-12-01 03:10:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋