Landlord saw wallpaper removed through front window. Gets $2800 estimate and demands immediate payment.?

Question

This house is a do-it-yourselfer nightmare. I pay $2500 per month. The ceiling leaked when it rained so I told the landlord. He came by and looked and did nothing. Next rain, wallpaper peeled at the top of the wall. This was unsitely, so I pulled it down. The landlord came by unexpectedly the next day and saw the new walls thru the front window. He freaked out and called in painters to get quotes for repair, stated that the painters had bid $2800 and that I needed to pay that to him immediately or he would seek eviction. Not wanting this I agreed to pay 4 payments. I have made two. Here's my predicament: My lease is ending soon and I want to move and I have two payments left. I have a $2500 security deposit already being held. I have paid $1400 towards the painting. I would feel really crappy if I never saw the wall painted and I figure this guy will keep the sec dep even if I shine the place. I doubt he'll paint. How do I ensure I'm not throwing money away?

Answer 1

I hope you took some pictures of the water damage.
You did the right thing by notifying your landlord when you saw the problem, it was his responsibility as the property owner to fix it and provide you with a decent place to live.

You never should have agreed to pay him anything, by doing so you admit being wrong or at least some level of liability.
I bet you don't get your Security Deposit back.

He's trying to take advantage of you, get or confer with a lawyer and sue him for whatever the charge is the lawyer determines.

Answer 2

Don’t pay him anymore and try to get your $ back. There is an expected useful life to items like paint and flooring, so unless the wallpaper was done brand new before you moved in, you should not have to pay for a whole new paint job. Furthermore, you already paid for the paint job, that the L/L hasn’t done yet, so you shouldn’t worry about painting, you’ve already paid for the paint job. As far as the bid on $2,800.00, you can find your own contractors to do the work and find your own prices and challenge the L/L prices. Whoever you find should do the same quality of work as is present in the house right now.

I don’t now….this L/L sounds pretty shady.

I don’t know what laws are like where you’re from (they’re pretty strict around here), but the scenario you’ve described is just wrong in so many ways…..

Like he can’t charge you for work based on an estimate. He actually has to have the work done.

I could go on and on…

Answer 3

Don't pay him a damn thing. Landlords are responsible for structural integrity of their buildings. If you have taken pictures of the damage as it occured you can even get your deposit back, in the meantime, call a reputable roofing company over to do a free inspection of the roof. If you can contact the right one, tell them your predicament, anyone with a heart will come, fill out a report on the condition of your roof and you have proof that you werent responsible for the damage.
Its always good to document anything like this. Such as when you notified the landlord of the original damage, any followup calls, etc.
Don't pay this guy another dime. Evict yourself and get the hell out of there.

Answer 4

Why on earth would you agree to just give someone $2,800.00 ????

"I needed to pay that to him immediately"

Or what? He would evict you because HIS roof leaked and wrecked HIS wallpaper? Good luck with that.

Wouldn't spending $50 to $100 for a lawyer to write him a letter been a lot smarter than agreeing to give him $2,800.00 for nothing?

"How do I ensure I'm not throwing money away?"

You already did.

"Your first consultation with any attorney is free"

Some lawyers offer free consultations. Not most, not all, just some. Everyone I know expects to be paid for their time.

Answer 5

The best advice I have seen here, and the best advice I can give you....is talk to an attorney. When you call, ask if they specialize in landlord/tenant laws. Your first consultation with any attorney is free. Attorneys often write letters first before suing in court, that often takes care of the problem and its a minimum charge to you.

You have paid your landlord a good chunk of money, it will be worth it to hire the "big guns" to get it back.

I wish you luck. (How often we say we don't need things like this in our lives!)

Answer 6

water damage like that is his problem, not yours.
if it was the water that damaged the wall paper and you only removed the part that was affected (not the whole wall) then thats fine.

If its not painted over already, take photos of the area, dont make any more payments. Tell him the water damage is his problem and you are seeking legal advice.

If you do seek legal advice, they should be able to get the two payments you have already made to him back for you.
do it immediately though.
.

Answer 7

you already tossed the money- sue the jerk and get your money back. He's a scam artist.