Last month my apartment was broken into and my computer was stolen along with my cable modem, some dvd's and some money. I have a fire escape that I just found out when ou lock the windows you can still pull down the top window and get in. And the super claimed to see womeone come in through the window and the guy said we where family, but i find it hard to believe that you will se someone enter another persons window and believe them to be family- What family member would do that? We told the landlord well one of the landlords about what happened and we had an agreement that if I get window gates on the window they would deduct it from the rent. I had to get 2 window gates and a different lock on the door because my lovely neighbors tell me after the incident that its the super that goes into peoples apartments and take things.
2007-10-26 13:29:53 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
So now I am late with octobers rent but made agreement to pay both octobers rent with the deduction of the gates ($350/each plus lock and service fee and materials) on the novembers rent, but they sent me a bill of $1470- my rent is $950 and the cost of the gates are $875. I dont see how I have to pay that much rent and on top of that I cant even talk to them until monday because they are jewis. Also my gf applied for rental assistance and was informed that they sent two payments to the managment for about $215 for october and november. I really want to take them to court because for one the have someone working for them stelling from tenants- and my computer that my gf bought not even 2 years old was more than $1200. She didnt even want to be in the apartment- she doesnt feel safe she is pregnant. But the problem about going to court is that my name is not on the lease and she is very shy speaking infront of people. WHat should we so?
2007-10-26 13:31:26 · update #1
I have a couple of questions. 1) Your girlfriend is on the lease, but you are not, right? 2) Your girlfriend gets state assistance with rent, correct? Does the state know she lives with you and counts your income in with hers? 3). How does the top window pull down if its locked? Any window I have seen, if its locked, neither portion opens.
Alot of this "story" doesnt make any sense.
1) you should have rental insurance. Your landlord is not responsible to pay for your possessions.
2) Your landlord may allow you to change the lock on the door, but guess what, his "super" must have keys to all the units, so he now has your new key to your new lock. So that was a waste of time and money.
3) Actually, your landlord is being nice if he indeed agreed to pay for window gates. It would have been cheaper to fix the lock on the window. I hope you have it in writing that he is paying for them, because if you dont, he doesnt have to pay. I dont know where you live, but bars on windows by a fire escape are against the law here in MI. Your fire escape is your emergency exit. So that is another reason this story sounds fishy to me. The city has rules in the case of fire escapes being a mode of exit in the event of an emergency. You cant get out through the bars.
You are very close to being evicted by not paying your rent.
Your landlord is not responsible for your break in. Obviously he is not paying for the gates and locks you wanted. If you take the Oct and Nov rent, it adds up $1900 minus the $215 for Oct and Nov ($430)rental assistance paid equals the $1470. He's adding Nov now because you said you werent paying him until Nov. He's getting ready to take you and your girlfriend to court for past due rent and probably eviction. Doesnt look like he is adding on any late fees, but that may come up in court along with attny fees and court fees.
2007-10-26 15:19:57 · answer #1 · answered by kimmamarie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
Have you ever considered taking up fishing? You've got one of the best can of worms I seen in awhile. You could hook a real sucker for an attorney with bait like that, and I'm sure someone will get flayed pretty good in a court of law. The only problem I see is you may be the one flayed.
Let's see....your not on the lease, but your GF is! She's shy and doesn't want to speak in court, and you're not on the lease. You had a system stolen, but you're not on the lease. You bought window bars which cost a ton, but you're not on the lease. Something smells just a tad bit fishy here.... are you sure you aren't a fisherman???
2007-10-27 15:34:02 · answer #2 · answered by skiingstowe 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could try to take your Landlord to court and try that way, however, you will need to send a letter in writing to them documenting all of this that you just described, you must have this in writing in order for it to stand up in court. Legally you cannot withhold your rent and if you do the LL has the right to evict you. You can escrow your rent with the courts until this matter is resolved and document that in your letter to the Landlords, that way they cannot evict you since you are paying the courts, it might make them deal with you quicker if they aren't getting your rent. Maybe the extra rent is a late fee since it's already October 25 and you haven't paid rent. Wait until Monday and speak with the Landlords, sit down and work it out, if they won't then consult an attorney to see what your rights are.
Unfortunately this is a good example why you should always carry renters insurance to protect your belongings, it's really cheap to carry renters insurance I have it and it costs me $300 per year and it protects my interior for up to $50K and content insurance of $40K it's well worth it.
2007-10-26 20:50:47 · answer #3 · answered by Weimaraner Mom 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are advised to stay out of the courts. Your GF is the only person on the lease and you are living there improperly. Furthermore, if your GF is obtaining housing assistance and not reporting that YOU live there, she is committing welfare fraud. Do you REALLY want that brought out in a court of law ?
Concerning the superintendent being accused of stealing your things, you have no proof that it was actually him who did it. How do you propose to handle THAT ?
2007-10-26 22:08:50 · answer #4 · answered by acermill 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You need to move. You need to find a better living situation because nothing you do is going to improve your current conditions. Start looking for a new apartment. When you find one then give a 30 day, written notice of your intention to vacate. I'd HIGHLY recommend getting renter's insurance. It's really cheap and could have protected you from this loss.
2007-10-27 12:27:02 · answer #5 · answered by Airjoe 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you are not on the lease you have no right to be living there and if the lease is in your girlfriend's name they can say she has violated the terms of the lease. Sounds very complicated. Consult an attorney.
2007-10-26 20:52:54 · answer #6 · answered by Othniel 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Get a lawyer and take it from there.
2007-10-26 20:37:24 · answer #7 · answered by americangurl_28 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋