Is my landlord being fair??

Question

I am currently renting an apartment with my boyfriend, about 3 months ago my parents ran into some financial issuses and didnt have anywhere to go. So to keep them from living on the streets and starving, I told them they could stay with me, sleep there when they needed and to eat. Well my landlord called me to tell me the water and sewer bill was higher than normal and asked if anyone else was living there. I told her that my parents were staying there some and that they were homeless right now so I was helping them out. Well anyway she told me I was violating my lease by having more than two people there. My parents were even away traveling for a while during the three month time span. Anyway, she came over to do an inspection of the place for whatever reason. My parents do not have any furniture they are sleeping on our sofas. Its not like they paid me anything what so ever for bills or rent - they didnt have anything or anywhere to go!!!! So she said that she wanted 800 dollars first then changed it to 500 when she found out the situation. So she wants me to send her 500 dollars right away, 200/mo for the past 3 months and another 200 for December. (But she changed it to 500 total now) for the water and sewer bill and wear and tear on the apartment by additional people. My parents are 57 and 61; they do not hardly do any wear and tear! Our lease is for 795/mo and 15/mo for water and sewer. Yes it says only 2 people, and yes I understand that. However, givin the situation I dont feel that I was doing any harm. I have done nothing but help people and my parents, I do not have 500 dollars to just give to them! I just paid rent and my car payment, and to top it off its Christmas time! I do not think that its fair to charge me that, there is no way the water and sewer for 3 months was that much! When my parents are there, they only get showers every other day to save water. I think the landlord is trying to rip me off. What do you think?

Answer 1

In my area, we have an administrative tribunal (the Landlord Tenant Board) that deals with cases like this, and it would be EXTREMELY unlikely that your landlord would get 200 per month for your parents staying over. I've seen the Board charge 20-50 per month, usually.

First, ask for copies of the sewer and water bills for the time before your parents came and after and offer to pay the increase for all the months right away, as well as write to her explaining the situation and how long you expect your parents to stay. Give all correspondence in writing and get all correspondence in writing. If your landlord calls you, ask her to confirm by e-mail or letter.

Also, you might want to read up on the residential tenancies legislation in your area. It's usually just one Act, fairly easy to read and short, and will tell you your rights. There are often clauses that prevent landlords for charging extra without certain procedures, or clauses that allow visitors for certain lengths of time.

Read up the property standards regulations in your town. It sounds petty, but if you have a list of regulations that your landlord may have broken, you could possibly use that as leverage.

Most importantly, apologize in writing for the inconvenience to her and explain that you want to work things out fairly.

Answer 2

Speaking as a landlord, you should have told him the situation from the beginning and worked something out.

Sad to say, since you didn't do that you violated the lease agreement.

Now is what he is charging you fair?

I cant really say. However, if your water and some other utilities are included, the rent is based on how many people are on the lease.

If more people move in, more utilities are going to be used.

Is it fair that the landlord has to incur the additional cost himself.

Sorry for your parents losses, but realistically, 200 dollars additional a month for 2 more people on the lease is not unreasonable.

If you think it is unfair, read your lease agreement and see what conditions apply. You can also check with your city's housing department for info.

Answer 3

Im sorry to have to be so rude about my answer but you mentioned that your parents were basically homeless and they stayed with you to not have to be on the street. Then you mentioned that within the 3 months of them staying with you they were out traveling. How is it that they didn't have money to keep from being homeless but had money to travel. That is kind of odd. If you knew there was a possiblity that your landlord would say something about them staying there you should of suggested they stay at a cheap motel or atleast called the landlord and offered to pay extra on the rent montly for the time they were gonna be there. Honestly I believe your parents should pay the $200 for you. They are the ones that caused the extra bill and like I said if they had money to travel they could pay the $200 for you. I do believe that the landlord is taking advantage of you and the situation but honestly there really isn't anything you can do when it states in your lease no extra tennants. Im sorry if this isn't what you wanna hear but it is only logical.

Answer 4

Do not let the landlord bully you on this one, I would change the tune from living there a month or so that they where visiting for a time

Next read you lease to say what is say about visitors and how long they may stay in a given month

on the demand for monies, no she can not change the terms of the lease in the middle, if the landlord feels slighted by the extra quest then she can try and move for eviction not force you to pay extra rent,

On eviction other then non-payment of rent, the landlord will first have to send a letter to cease the infraction, hence if your parents find a residence within a month the problem is cured, she can not move ahead

then after a month you do not cure the letter she can try to move for eviction but it will be up to a judge to decided if the infraction raises to a level to eviction

Note: this is general legal advice as such should always consult a local lawyer . but do agree to any monies let her try and evict for a lease violation

Answer 5

Your landlord has the right to evict you for violating the lease. You have caused the landlord to incur additional expenses based on the violation. The amounts do seem excessive, however your other option is to be evicted.

You need to read the lease to see what the remedies are for the landlord when you violate the lease. The additional $200 per month may not be allowed. However, while it may not be legal, it may be a practical situation for you to avoid being evicted.

Answer 6

Listen, first you have to understand that most landlords have one objective: making money any way they can. They are a step above prostitutes or drug dealers. She is definitely trying to rip you off, but unfortunately if your lease clearly states two people there's not a whole lot you can do. If you pay her anything you better get a receipt. I'm saying this because she could take the money then turn around and say you're all evicted!
Try to find out if your city or town has an office that deals with rental affairs and do a little research on what your rights are. And in the meantime maybe start looking for a new place.

Answer 7

I think its a ripoff having to pay that much, but you did violate your lease by having extended stay guests. You should have cleared that with your landlord before they stayed for that long a time.

Paying a bit extra for the guests should be no issue, but 200-500? You might be able to put up a defense in small claims court.

Answer 8

I guess my question would be that you commented that part of the time your parents were traveling, if they can afford to travel why cant they help pay the bill just cause they are your parents dont mean you should have to pay the cost of it. where else could they stay for 3 months for $500 ???

Answer 9

Nope she's not exactly being nice about it, but there isn't really anything you can do about it. Next time I would get a letter of written consent from your landlord prior to having people move in.

I agree with the guy in the first post get a copy of the transaction.

Answer 10

You can simply tell your landlord that you are having your relatives visit and you don't need to go into specifics. If there is an additional amount you need to pay for utilities you should offer to pay those additional expenses after proof of the additional amounts is provided to you. She cannot change the lease without amending it and having you agree to it and sign it. Don't let her bully you. Explain your parents are just visiting and that she cannot go inspect the property without having your consent first. Good Luck.