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IMHO, I would be looking to move to that other town. Having dealt with some less then desirable landlords (like this one sounds), I have found that you will be the bad guy. Landlords that don't care about being up to code, etc., generally don't want to deal with someone who complains all the time....so you will get the shaft, not the other tenant. He will find something to get you out, you'll see!
The other tenant of course is not going to like you now....you gave him problems about going into this office (going up and down the stairs), when you probably have kids making just as much racket. And now you complain about the smoke.....Good Luck!!!
Yeah, it's pretty much a lose-lose situation. Our lease is up in June and I worry then about where we'll go. No way are we staying here if we're still here! And yes, we do pay a lot more than the basement tenant (who works for the landlord BTW). My husband complains constantly about the amount of rent we pay for the situation we live in. The other place is the same amount of money. But the rental agent wants a month's fee and they want first/last and security. We only had to pay first and security here and if you add up what the other place wants, it's probably enough for a down payment on a house in cheaper markets! Not to mention the cost of moving. We did most of it ourselves coming here but it was still almost $1000 to move just our furniture.
Get an air cleaner and save your pennies! Twice I had to share a rental with other people....it is very, very difficult cause it is not like when YOU pick the roommate. Never again would I do that. Trust me....be happy the only thing the other tenant does is smoke....I could tell you some real horror stories! The way some of these markets are for rent....it is becoming more common for landlords to use every bit of space they can.
My sister was renting a basement apartment with people living in the main house above. She only found out mid lease that she was paying the electric bill for the whole house. When she complained she was basicly told "that's the way it is and to live with it!"
I don't know the laws, but I would say you all have to live there so the landlord should help you all come up with a compromise. If you wanted to turn him in for not having permits, that would probably cancel your lease anyway since it's not up to code and an inspector would no doubt make him correct that before anyone should be living there.
In California, the rental agreement must accurately state any utilities the tenant is responsible for.
If the lease did not state that you are paying utilities for another unit... the Owner has a big problem... at least here.
Unfortutely it's a small town and one of very few property management companies in town. My sister wouldn't have had money to fight them on it, so basicly she ended up moving as soon as she could. I'd call it a learning experience for her.
You can always consult an attorney if you aren't happy. The only time we broke a lease (with the help of an attorney) was when my husband and I rented the top of a house. Below us (before we moved in) were 2 girls. We had only one thermostat or something so we shared the utilities. All four of us worked. Lo and behold a deadbeat boyfriend 'moved in' (not on a lease). Hung around all day using up utilities. (plus the fact he was not on the lease..what the **** was he doing there all day?)
The girls tried to be nice (before we found out about deadbeat). Then when we questioned who he was and why he was there all the time it turned nasty. The guy began harassing us and slamming doors at midnight, blasting music-- just being an ass. We went to the landlord who tried to mediate but my husband and the deadbeat just glared at each other the whole time.
The noise got worse and one night we had to go back to my parents' to sleep. We went to an attorney and he read our lease and we got out of it due to not enforcing the 'quiet laws.'
The problem with renting is you never know if you will wind up with a jerk downstairs or upstairs. We have never had good renting experiences. We currently rent the top of a house and the woman downstairs is quiet until 10 pm when she plays her music (low to loud depending on her mood swings). She starts back up again before 6 am.
Do I want to say something? Well, it's either 'deal with it' or having the 'dominance wars' again. (another time we lived with a drunk who was loud all night..)
Landlords--useless...99.9% just want money for 'nothing' and never want to hear from you till it's rent day.
PS Is your apartment 'legal?' Maybe you can get out on the technicality it is illegal.
This is where we've been lucky I guess. We've always rented from people that want good long term tenants, not just someone to pay the rent every month (although I guess that's part of being a good tenant).
We've had minor issues, ie; we had a big fancy garden and the landlord was a landscaper who was supposed to do the gardening. Sometimes it would be several months and the trees would even start to block the walkway. Or another time our landlady would go out of town a lot so when it came to repairs she would want me to call around for quotes, which isn't my job really.
We've never lived in a place that's like a split up house or anything. I know in some really expensive areas, it may be the best option for some people, but from what I've seen and read I wouldn't do it if there were a choice.
My sister was renting a basement apartment with people living in the main house above. She only found out mid lease that she was paying the electric bill for the whole house. When she complained she was basicly told "that's the way it is and to live with it!"
I don't know the laws, but I would say you all have to live there so the landlord should help you all come up with a compromise. If you wanted to turn him in for not having permits, that would probably cancel your lease anyway since it's not up to code and an inspector would no doubt make him correct that before anyone should be living there.
that is downright illegal...does she even do a darn thing about it?
that is downright illegal...does she even do a darn thing about it?
there is a tenant rights you know?
She would probably fight it now, but she was only 18 at the time with a child. Some landlords think they can get away with anything. I once lived in a small studio where the utilities were included, so the landlord took it upon himself more than once to let himself in to shut off the air conditioner. He was an attorney who thought the laws didn't apply to him. So, I moved out while he was out of town. When he threatened me with the fact that I broke a lease, I threatened to make sure the local police knew how fond he was of marijuana. Never heard from him again.
Last edited by floridadreamer; 11-12-2007 at 01:38 PM..
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Never heard from him again.
