Why actions can I take when my landlords harassment me?

Question

For 3 years, we have had problems with our landlord. She lives right below us so at the first of the month we can always count on knocking on our door at 6:00 AM to demand her rent. She leaves us constant notes regarding how we parked, if we picked up our paper on time, complaining that our cars are leaking (which never are- we took them to the mechanic 6 times), that the garbage cans were left out too long, alleging that we dented her garage and ruined other property as well. My husband and I both work 12 hours a day and couldnt possibally do all the things she says we do. She does horrible things and even went as far as to lie to my husband that I had men sleep over the house when he was away on business. Our cars are constantly being blocked out of the driveway and we have got 3 parking tickets by having to park on the road. WE still havent recieved the statement saying where our security deposit is either! What can we do! She obviously hates us despite our efforts to make her happy

Answer 1

Live out the Security deposit and get out of there.............

Answer 2

Why would you stay where you are obviously not wanted? Why not get a place somewhere else? Do you have receipts for your rent and security deposit? Do you have pictures of the place before you moved in and can prove that there was no damage done to it? There are laws regarding landlords and tenants and if she is breaking the law, then you have legal remedies, but you would have to go to court.

Why don't you circumvent your landlord's knocking on your door the day the rent is due by beating her to it? Why not pay your rent the night before it is due? If you are concerned about your cars leaking, get a big tarp and place it on your parking spot. Then drive up on it so it can't blow away. Then you'll be able to prove that your car isn't leaking and you won't be doing any damage to her property. (get a black tarp or one that doesn't stand out -- they don't cost much). Ask her to assign you a specific space(s) and be responsible for that space. If someone parks in it, then have the car towed. If you have an assigned space and you are forced to park in the street, have the police issue her the ticket for failure to provide off-street parking to her tenants (assuming that it's illegal to park on the street overnight).

Additionally, get your copy of your lease, keep copies of all notes that she has left for you and then make a list of all the complaints. Ask for a meeting with her and a neutral party and address all those complaints along with solutions that would be amenable to all parties involved and then have the solutions written, signed by both parties and notarized as part of a landlord tennant agreement. Then she and you would be obligated to live up to the agreement and you should have fewer problems.

But why not simply move?

Answer 3

Go downstairs and pay rent before it's due to avoid her comming up?
It is LEGALLY her job as the property owner to place the garbage cans out on the road and collect them or she may hire someone to do it. It is not the tenants responsibility.
Tell her if she wants to issue any more complaints, talk to your attorney and that all further notes she posts also be faxed to the attorney. She is harrassing you and you can seek legal recourse and no she can not evict you because of it.
If the lease says, parking on site in space # __ and you are being blocked, she is violating her lease agreement.
Perhaps she would enjoy a visit by your states housing authority, you know, just to make sure all of her paperwork is order and up to date and compliance. It would certainly help you figure out where your deposit is.

Answer 4

Growing up, both my parents were landlords, and I can tell you, at least in California, the law is on the side of the renter, not the landlord. If you really want to stick it to the landlord, there are ways. But honestly, if its that bad, why not move? And if she attempts to withhold your deposit, then you may have no choice but to sue or just let it go. But why put yourself through the constant torture of living in a place like that?

Answer 5

She sounds crazy....maybe you should move...Or if you are determined to stay, start writing letters, having everything on paper is gold. Then if you ever want to bring her to court you have everything on paper (sounds like you should either way, she might give you trouble if you ever do want to move). You would want to contact a lawyer either way...just so you know what your rights are, the law isn't the same in all provinces/states. Good luck, bad landlords suck, I know I have one too, fat old man broke into our house through this little tiny window, got stuck...lol so glad it was my husband that was home and not me ;)

Answer 6

Keep a record of what she's doing. See if you can get the phone company to record your incoming calls if she's calling you. Usually I don't like to take it to the legal system unless you have no choice, but you could have a harrassment case here.

Answer 7

Quietly find somewhere else to live.
Keep all these notes - if things do explode - demand proof (a digital camera nowadays is almost dirt cheap).

Again, keep all notes.

Answer 8

Fair Housing Act. Google it and read.

Answer 9

The only action you can take:

- MOVE

.

Answer 10

Duh....
Move....