Last week, I referred to getting some distressing news. Some of you are probably wondering what happened to put me in such a depressed state. Last Friday (yes, on New Year’s Eve), my landlord sent me an email saying he wants me to move out by the end of May 2022.
This came about due to a disagreement we have been having for approximately six months. He and his wife are absolute clean freaks. They came into my apartment this past July to change the batteries in my smoke detectors. They claimed they saw cat hair on the baseboards (Isabella barely sheds); they said they could smell the litter box (I have a self-cleaning litterbox that has no smell to it). So… they decided they would come back in two weeks and do their “annual inspection” (something they have never done with my neighbor below). I scrubbed down my apartment, yet they still found things to complain about: the drip pans on my stove needed replacing; my oven needed cleaning (which had only one spill the size of a quarter); there was a dirty place under the refrigerator (I had never noticed that when I spilled something it had gone under the refrigerator); etc.
Each time they returned to do another inspection, they found one issue after another to nitpick and complain about. They were all minor issues—something I may have overlooked, but I had no way of knowing they were going to go over the place with a fine-tooth comb.
In early December, my landlord came to replace the tiles under the refrigerator claiming the refrigerator was leaking although it had only been a small spill that was easily cleaned up and was not continuously happening. He came in while I was at work. Apparently, he did another close inspection of the entire apartment without me being there, and decided I was unable to keep up with the terms of the lease which states I should maintain a clean and healthy living space. He then waited three weeks to say anything.
My apartment is clean and healthy, but I am not obsessively compulsive about cleaning. I keep the apartment at a level of cleanliness that the average person would not have an issue with. They, on the other hand, want things to look the same as when I moved in which was not sparkling then either. If I had not had a lot of health problems this past year, I might have met their excessive requirements, but I don’t think anything would have satisfied them. I’ve explained about my illnesses, but they don’t seem to care or want to understand. Their solution was, I should hire a maid. How was I ever going to afford that?
I have always paid my rent on time. I am quiet and do my best not to disturb anyone. I am always nice and polite to everyone that lives there including the landlords. I have had a few guests, i.e., hookups, over, but they claim to be LGBTQ+ friendly. However, I feel they are watching me all the time. I honestly don’t know what the issue is. I can’t understand why I am being treated this way. After each of their visits, they kept saying they wanted me to live there for a long time; they wanted me as a resident. Yet, that feels farthest from the truth. They want me gone.
So, since receiving last Friday’s email, I’ve been looking for a new place to live. It is exceedingly difficult in Vermont to find a rental property that allows pets. Also, most require a reference from your last landlord. I have no idea what he is going to say when asked for one. I want to be out of my current apartment—soon. I want to wash my hands of my current landlords. I just hope they are not going to obstruct me getting a new apartment.
I am absolutely horrified and embarrassed I have been treated this way; it has been wearing on me over these past six months. I had thought I would be able to satisfy them, but apparently, that was never going to happen.
There is some good news, though. This Friday, I will be looking at an apartment, and I have another one I want to inquire about. I’m mostly happy in the small town where I live because my museum is here, but I also wouldn’t mind moving to one of the other towns around me. I just hope I can find somewhere that will accept Isabella and doesn’t cost a fortune. 🤞 *fingers crossed* 🤞
10 comments:
The landlords sound crazy. I wonder if they do this to all their tenants. I can understand why that notice was so upsetting.
I hope one of the other prospects pans out.
I'm sure it is stressful, but this may end up giving you an opportunity to find and make a new home - one with a less intrusive landlord and that will suit your lifestyle better.
I don't know what the rental situation is in VT but I wish you luck. If there is any sort of gay network in VT - put out the word and keep me posted!
I understand your anguish and share it because it happened to me (but for other reasons).
I do not advise you to go before a judge; your landlords are probably homophobic (it is punished in France) and/or allergic to cats. Landlord ( it looks very "old France" ) or owner ( google ) ?
I wish you good luck, follow the gay network and that of cats too.
Are your landlords going inside your place when you're not there?
According to our laws here, when you rent a place NO ONE can go in your appartment without advising you.
Also, those landlords are very very touchy kind as they should know that you live normaly and that any of their appartments aren't to be like surgery rooms in some hopital.
They are crazy to telling you all that.
As you know, I have 4 cats and their might be some of their hair in some places but that is normal and I vaccum every day with my Dyson.
But my landlords who live on the first floor below me have 2 cats also and they will NEVER come to see me without advising me first.
Must also say that they have 2 young boys and they often tell me that my place il cleaner than theirs. LOL!!
So, if you can find another place it would be better for you and your mental health.
Wishing you the best for the futur.
Joe, I am sorry for what is really a humiliation in personal terms and a huge annoyance and waste of time and energy in terms of your life - something you don't need. Clearly, the landlords have hostility toward you so it is best to move. I do hope that you can find another place for you and Isabella. Roderick
You may have a case against them of the frequent inspections and inspection without notice and in your absence aren't allowed under your lease. There may be a civil rights complaint. But are these matters worth pursuing if you find a suitable new apartment? Maybe discuss remedies with the civil rights people in the D.A.'s office.
Joe:
Something is not right.
I have rented my fair share of apartments in my time.
I have a suspicion that they want to kick you out-not renew your lease-so they can take advantage of the increase in rents that are going around. And some exorbitantly so. I have lived in some places where there are laws/regulations of how much you can raise folk's rent from lease to lease.
I have never seen so many inspections. Never!! They seem to be covering their asses. I hope you have taken pictures prior to their "inspections." I have never been inspected during any lease that I was in. Now, if one is throwing trash outside their doors, and smells are coming from the apartment then one would have a case. But, I have never had property management notify me that they are doing a health and welfare inspection. They did that in the military but that is another story.
You may not win BUT-it is the principle of it all-I outlining your concerns/treatment and contact the proper parties. Just to put them on record. Maybe once you secure an apartment write a Yelp review.
It has been said in rental properties-and in my condo-that one can not enter residents'
homes without proper notice and you have the right to be present. As I have read somewhere, in order to enter ones home without notice there better be water coming out from under the door or smoke.
Don't fret about them. They have shown their true colors. You do not want to rent from them anyways after this. Just be transparent with your new landlords and do your best to find a place that you like. Yes, easier said than done. It seems that finding affordable, decent housing these days is a chore. Best of luck.
Be healthy,
Victor
Joe, The options before are not easy ones, but your followers ave given you some wise advice. Your landlords have engaged in actions that are atrocious and most probably illegal. If you should choose to pursue a legal stance, you might, as they say, "win a battle, but lose the war." After all, even if you should stay there, they will be unpleasant and continue to harass you. Life will be uncomfortable and stressful. A move will be stressful for you, but also full of possibility. One responder has suggested reaching out to the gay community. Consider how that might affect your life and open up all kinds of new opportunities for you. As the cliche goes, "when one window closes, another opens." My best wishes to you.
I wonder if they saw anything when they did the "inspection" when you were not home. In some states it is illegal to enter the apartment without your permission or notice. Usually legal aid has a section devoted to landlord/tenant issues.
Probably leaving is for the best. But moving is a hassle.
I'm so sorry this is happening to you!
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