Issues with Landlord (Baltimore: real estate, renters, house)

[Micahdarko]

Hi, I've been renting a property from a private landlord for two months now. The property was in control by a real estate group, but the owner removed it from the group and took over direct control. I have had plenty of problems with the house since moving in, but now have a new issue. The house had a previous balance on it for the water bill and I have a turn off fast approaching. The only way i can get in touch with the owner is via email, but the owner does not respond to emails anymore. I have sent four emails over the past month with no response. I'll have to pay the turn off to avoid losing my water, but what do I do as far as the rent and other issues? With no contact will i have to put the rent into escrow? and how will this effect the rest of my lease? Do i deduct the money for the water bill from the rent as this was not my responsibility? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by Micahdarko

I've been renting a property ... for two months now.
I have had plenty of problems with the house since moving in, but now have a new issue.
Have ANY of these issues been presented to management (or owner) in WRITING?

Who did you write your deposit check to?
How about the rent since moving in?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Find another place. TODAY.
Start packing and get out before it gets cold.

[oneworld25]

You might want to contact Baltimore Neighborhood Inc's tenant/landlord hotline.

BNI | Tenant & Landlord

[steppinthrax]

Originally Posted by Micahdarko

Hi, I've been renting a property from a private landlord for two months now. The property was in control by a real estate group, but the owner removed it from the group and took over direct control. I have had plenty of problems with the house since moving in, but now have a new issue. The house had a previous balance on it for the water bill and I have a turn off fast approaching. The only way i can get in touch with the owner is via email, but the owner does not respond to emails anymore. I have sent four emails over the past month with no response. I'll have to pay the turn off to avoid losing my water, but what do I do as far as the rent and other issues? With no contact will i have to put the rent into escrow? and how will this effect the rest of my lease? Do i deduct the money for the water bill from the rent as this was not my responsibility? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I'm a LL and have property in Baltimore County. In terms of you're situation. The LL is obviously not doing his/her job. I would send a certified letter to the LL concerning the issue. I would then file for an escrow account.

Lack of water makes the place uninhabitable. Therefore you will continue to pay rent until the issues all have been fixed...

[picardlx]

Originally Posted by steppinthrax

I'm a LL and have property in Baltimore County. In terms of you're situation. The LL is obviously not doing his/her job. I would send a certified letter to the LL concerning the issue. I would then file for an escrow account.

Lack of water makes the place uninhabitable. Therefore you will continue to pay rent until the issues all have been fixed...

I just knew you were going to side with the landlord, before reading your post.

There's hope for you.

[steppinthrax]

Originally Posted by picardlx

I just knew you were going to side with the landlord, before reading your post.

There's hope for you.

How is this siding with anyone. It harms the LL when they are not receiving rent. I know the laws. If you decide not to pay the rent, it won't help. They can still bring you to court. Also the judge may not agree with the habitation issues. Especially if the LL fixes all the issues before the court date. If you haven't paid rent by that time and come to court, the judge sides with the LL, then you can have a judgement for possession placed on the tenant... (pay all in 4 days)

Then you need to cough up the money before the date... It seems the LL could fix this simple water issue by a few phone calls....

I've been in LL court several times. Guess the % of time the judge rules in favor of the landlord. 99% - 100%!!!!

[picardlx]

Originally Posted by steppinthrax

How is this siding with anyone. It harms the LL when they are not receiving rent. I know the laws. If you decide not to pay the rent, it won't help. They can still bring you to court. Also the judge may not agree with the habitation issues. Especially if the LL fixes all the issues before the court date. If you haven't paid rent by that time and come to court, the judge sides with the LL, then you can have a judgement for possession placed on the tenant... (pay all in 4 days)

Then you need to cough up the money before the date... It seems the LL could fix this simple water issue by a few phone calls....

I've been in LL court several times. Guess the % of time the judge rules in favor of the landlord. 99% - 100%!!!!

I was hoping the smiley face signified sarcasm, but I wasn't clear.

[magpiehere]

I've been in LL court several times. Guess the % of time the judge rules in
favor of the landlord. 99% - 100%!!!!

Is that true? My LL owes me 12 years of interest on a security deposit. Says she never heard of the law before that the deposit goes into an escrow acct.

If it was like $40 I wouldnt fight it but it is over $700 based on the forumula. I was thinking of going to court.

If it is true, I'm sad to hear that decent renters get screwed, yet again and that a LL need not follow a law.

[steppinthrax]

Originally Posted by magpiehere

Is that true? My LL owes me 12 years of interest on a security deposit. Says she never heard of the law before that the deposit goes into an escrow acct.

If it was like $40 I wouldnt fight it but it is over $700 based on the forumula. I was thinking of going to court.

If it is true, I'm sad to hear that decent renters get screwed, yet again and that a LL need not follow a law.

In Baltimore, the LL mostly gets screwed. The type of people that rent in Baltimore are not the "ideal" tenants. They come in, don't pay rent on time and trash the place. The LL laws in Baltimore are weak and sided towards the tenants. Last tenant I had trashed my place. Wrote up an invoice, sent to her and her co-signer. Filed a court notice and got a private processor. In the end I won, but took almost a year to get my 1000 back!!!

[magpiehere]

I'm sorry to hear that steppin. I didnt realize you were being sarcastic, I am sorry.

I'm fairly ideal, but get screwed anyway.