Landlord.

Julianne - posted on 09/07/2011

He can only keep it if you agree that the damage is greater than the deposit. Aside from that, if he fails to return it within 15 days, he has to pay double the deposit. I suggest paying the 40$ fee to take him to the tenancy board. He would have to pay your legal fees, return your deposit, and pay his own legal fees as well.

Erin - posted on 09/07/2011

I have the same problem. My landlord has harassed us since we moved in. I am currently in the process of moving. My landlord informed me this weekend I will not be getting a security deposit back, yet there are NO damages to this house.

Melissa - posted on 08/31/2011

I'm not sure if the laws are nationwide or different in each state, but here in Connecticut there are laws protecting both tenants and landlords. If that were to happen here then the best way to handle it would be to go to your local court house and speak to someone about filing paperwork against your landlord. Rather than withholding rent from him, you would pay your rent to the courts, and the matter would go to trial. If the judge determined that rent needed to be paid, the monies you had given to the court would then go to the landlord, and if not then whatever amount, some or all, would be returned to you. I would contact a lawyer and see what your exact rights are and what the best way would be for you to go about getting this taken care of. You certainly don't want to give him any room to take legal action against you, and withholding rent entirely would make that possible. I hope everything works out quickly!!

Lin - posted on 08/31/2011

I'm not sure where you're at, but in Ohio there is a law that addresses this sort of issue. Notify the landlord in writing what needs to be taken care of. The next rent check, if the problem isn't fixed, needs to be written to your county's Clerk of Courts with the right documentation. THEN if your landlord wants the rent, he has to fix it within the time a judge deems sufficient, else you get the money back to pay to make the repairs yourself, and the landlord cannot evict you or charge you with late charges.

Also, if you're in Ohio (check your local laws), the landlord has to give a 24 hour written notice if he wants into your unit for non-emergencies, so the next time he shows up to rant, you can turn him away.

In regards to the washer and dryer, are they listed in your lease/contract? If so, be sure to include that violation of contract in any lawsuit.

Don't trash the place, as he may be able to file charges for damaging property. I recommend leaving the place nice but unrentable without a lot of work; don't put too much effort into cleaning when you leave. If this place is as bad as it sounds, an inspection from the health department may not so much condemn the property but he won't be allowed to rent it out until repairs are made.

Julianne - posted on 08/31/2011

It is very illegal...but hes fixing every problem i have because i told him i was taking him to the tenancy board. so problem solved.

Katherine - posted on 08/31/2011

File a landlord tenancy claim. Under your contract he cannot get paid until YOU get your things fixed. Go to the courthouse (or wherever it is you go) and file a complaint against this bastard.
Plus he can get in big trouble for cussing and swearing in front of children and women, at least here anyways.
That is harassment and I would have filed a police report.

Melanie - posted on 08/30/2011

you should call the cops again. im fairly certain thats illegal.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/24/2011

YAY!

Julianne - posted on 08/24/2011

my water is now back :P

Julianne - posted on 08/24/2011

my aunt lives across the road...so its not too bad.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/24/2011

I don't have water right now either. I am renting from my sister, and she forgot to pay it. Yup. No water, and I called with her card to get it turned back on 2 1/2 hours ago. We have been without for about 4 hours. Not nearly as long as you, but definitely feeling your pain.

Julianne - posted on 08/24/2011

nope.....

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/24/2011

Have you gotten your water yet Julianne?

Julianne - posted on 08/23/2011

so apparently im getting my water back tomorrow and he will be fixing my sink...which since it wasn't fixed in forever...has managed to grow some beautiful mold for me...

Jenn - posted on 08/23/2011

Legally, he cannot turn off the utilities. Contact your county clerk's office.

Also, you MUST pay your rent. Otherwise, you will only hurt yourself should this go to eviction court. You are still in a contractual agreement and you are living in the rental. Judges don't take kindly to those who do not pay rent, regardless of their rift with the landlord. That is what the courts are for.

You have options. Your county's website should give you a start on the info you need for your tenant rights and procedures. Should you NOT pay rent and he files eviction against you, it is a long drawn-out procedure and if you lose, you would owe not only rent due but court fees on your part and those of your landlord.

Krista - posted on 08/23/2011

Here's the number for legal aid. You're still in Truro, right, J?

(902) 893-5920


With the mortgage thing, it's hard to say. Your best bet would be to go to a bank and actually bring them all of your info and ask about pre-qualification. They can look over your income, your credit history, your TDSR (total debt service ratio, which is the ratio of what you owe to what you make), and assets, and will let you know if you'd qualify for a mortgage and if so, roughly how much.

You may want to look at the credit union, too. In my experience (as a former banker AND former employee of the credit bureau), credit unions tend to be a little more understanding and willing to look at individual situations, instead of just numbers.

Good luck!

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/23/2011

There are laws in every state about slum lords and how tenants can stay put even when being evicted. you may want to contact a lawyer in your area that deals with housing situations. They can give you a free consult over the phone to give you some direction. At this point, you should NOT pay rent. You should call the authorities again. But call the lawyer first and see where you stand. The police may have to come to have him turn the water on. Do NOT fail to tell the lawyer that you have a 2 year old. Laws protect tenants even more when they have young children.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/23/2011

Julianne, where do you live?

Julianne - posted on 08/23/2011

I doubt we could get a mortgage right now...we were on social assistance about a year ago. I just got a student loan for school too. I doubt any bank would like our financial situation, even though its been steadily improving the last several months.

Julianne - posted on 08/23/2011

I did take pictures of the place when i moved in. I had to crack fill some holes and painted 3 rooms too because it wasnt done. I spent close to 300 in repairs the first month. My sister is a painter and she helped me so its a really good job. I thought i was going to be staying here. Otherwise I wouldn't have done that. I saved all the receipts and before and after pictures. I want to see about buying a place. So i dont have to deal with shitty landlords anymore..I'm not even sure where to start though, or what it takes to get a mortgage.

Krista - posted on 08/23/2011

Yes, definitely call the residential tenancies board. Make sure that all of this stuff is written down with dates and times, and the names of any witnesses, if you have them. If you have a camera or phone that takes video, take video of the things that need to be done, but haven't.

I went through a similar thing when my ex and I lived in Dartmouth. The lock on our door was busted and there were rips in the linoleum. They were supposed to be fixed before we moved in but they weren't. They never got fixed and he wound up selling the place to some lady. 6 months later I moved, and 6 months after that (on my birthday, no less), I get handed a notice that I'm being brought to the board for damages for the lock and the linoleum! I had to call my ex to come with me to the hearing (thank goodness it was an amicable split), and fortunately, my mom had the foresight to take dated photos of things when we moved in. So I wound up not having to pay, thank goodness.

So stay calm and reasonable, gather as much evidence as you can, gather as many witnesses as you can, and state your case clearly and dispassionately.

Good luck!!!

Julianne - posted on 08/23/2011

He did it out of spite, we called the police for his harassment. What he did is illegal. I'm calling the tenancy board, the housing inspection and the police right now. I tried lastnight but they were closed.

Nikki - posted on 08/23/2011

Is there any kind of authority you can go too? Australia has pretty strict laws with this kind of thing. That's awful Juilanne, in Aus anything to do with hot water, electricity ect HAS to be fixed within 24 hours.

Carolee - posted on 08/22/2011

And that's why I answer the door with a katana. People don't screw with a pissed off woman with a samurai sword.

Stifler's - posted on 08/22/2011

I thought our real estate was bad.

Stifler's - posted on 08/22/2011

Argh what an asshole!

Julianne - posted on 08/22/2011

how the fuck am i suppose to shower...or bath my child... !!!!!!