Rental House? Need Advice?
December 312009
We rented a house and we haven’t moved in yet, since we still have our current place til the end of the month. We tried to get our utilities set up for today. We went and there was nothing on, no water, no electricity. We called the electric company and they said that a city inspector needs to go down there first before we can get services. What exactly is the problem? This rental is turning into a nightmare. We also had our mail forwarded a few days ago and we never got any mail. It turns out the mailman told them that he wouldn’t deliver to the door anymore and they needed a curbside mailbox, and they hadn’t put it up yet. Another thing is that they previously lived in that house, and they still have junk laying around inside and outside. What are we supposed to do with the stuff, I don’t like having too much junk laying around? But my main question is, do we tell him to give us a discount for next months rent since we aren’t able to get utilities hooked up, and for obstructing our mail delivery?
Our lease doesn’t start on the 1st. We paid rent for this month already- prorated. And…he had our deposit for two weeks before we started moving in. We agreed to give him the deposit if he would hold the house for us. We signed a lease and everything. During that time he was supposed to have cleaned it out, which also gave him plenty of time to put up the mailbox. Also, I just spoke to him and he indicated that he might know what the problem is, so to me that means that it is something wrong with the house.
OK- This is different than I originally thought.
Since you already signed the lease and paid rent for this month then they are in violation. They need to refund any rent money paid for the days you have not been able to move in. If it is not available soon, then you should be allowed to break your lease with no penalties.
Note: it is ILLEGAL to stop payment on the deposit check!
December 31st, 2009 at 6:23 pm
If it is this bad before you move in then you had better stop payment on your deposit check or try to get it back and look for something else. This is a nightmare that will never end.
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December 31st, 2009 at 6:42 pm
If the city inspector needs to show up, then the place has likely be empty for a while.
THIS SOUNDS EXTREMELY FISHY!!!
If you can find another place to move or stay where you are until you find another place, I suggest that you do.
If you can’t, I suggest you look up what government office handles landlord/tenant law in your municipality/state and be sure what your rights are. If your basic needs are not met, then the landlord is in violation of your rental agreement/lease and you *may* be able to with hold rents all together.
The last tenants garbage should not be your problem and should be removed before you move in as well. The mail box may be your landlords responsibility as well but if not, they are not that expensive and can be purchased at any Home Depot.
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December 31st, 2009 at 7:27 pm
It really bad for you. You not move to the house yet? If so many problem is occured, you may not pay the deposit first. For me i looking to best rental house for me. If i like, i would like to pay half of the deposit. Ask the owner to get you all the facilities is completed. The you pay another half of the deposit after you move in to the house.
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December 31st, 2009 at 7:33 pm
This place sounds shady, I would try to find another place.
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December 31st, 2009 at 8:16 pm
OK- This is different than I originally thought.
Since you already signed the lease and paid rent for this month then they are in violation. They need to refund any rent money paid for the days you have not been able to move in. If it is not available soon, then you should be allowed to break your lease with no penalties.
Note: it is ILLEGAL to stop payment on the deposit check!
References :
I’m a property manager.