Well, it's official... life sucks

[MissMillie]

We got a new landlord this week. The SOB decided to increase the rent by 30%. He thinks he's being a nice guy by not making it official until Feb 1, but all that means is that I have a couple of months to find a new place instead of only one month.

I can't wait until he tries to rent this place out for what he wants to charge. Only one bathroom, only 3 heating vents (that haven't been cleaned in I don't know how long), wall paper coming off the walls and paint splashes all over the hardwood floors (they were like that when I moved in), no counter space, no cabinet space, ugly orange panneling in the kitchen, and a refridgerator that leaks and sounds like a truck idling.


Well, I wish him luck. I know that one other tenant in the building that is also leaving.

My son is broken-hearted. If we can't find a place somewhere else in this small town, his NJROTC days are over.

[Cleita]

1. That's too bad.

Can he raise the rent like that? Some places don't allow large increases per year. You should check it out.

[gmoney]

2. Try negotiating...

I got squeezed out of a great apartment a few years ago because the landlords wanted my place for their daughter -- it sucked, and you have my sympathy.

GOOD tenants are hard to find, and presuming you're one of the good ones, 30% could be viewed as a starting point for negotiation -- make a counter offer. Tell him if he only raises it 10% you'll sign a new lease.

Ask him to talk to the old landlord to vouch for your status as a good tenant. (And ask the old landlord for a letter of reference -- it might come in handy if you end up looking for a new place.)

Or take the other approach... if he wants to raise your rent 30%, tell him you insist on him repainting the entire place, recarpeting, cleaning the ducts, new fixtures, and whatever else you can think of, OR... if he keeps the rent where it is, you won't require him to do all that pricey stuff. He might go for the short-term money savings...

Could be what he has in mind is to drive out his current tenants, spend a few grand to upgrade the building, then jack the rent for the new suckers who sign leases. It's sometimes called "gentrification" to squeeze out low-income tenants. He might be violating your legal rights, depending on your income level and local regulations. Check it out with the "ombudsman's" office or call city hall and ask who to talk to. Might even be some public assistance program that could halp pay your new rent if you're really strapped.

Oh, and rent the movie "Pacific Heights" to learn how to become the tenant from hell within the letter of the law, in case you want to have a little fun the last couple weeks you're there. Hint: one option is the purchase of cockroaches in large quantities.

[Melsky]

3. Try to get some help

most areas have a tenant advocacy organization of some sort, who will advise you of your rights for free or a low cost. Good luck!

[WilliamPitt]

4. Where do you live?

I had a place a few years ago that went for $1700 a month (three other roomates) Outside Boston. We moved out 'cause the landlord jacked the rent up to $2600 pretty much overnight. He got it, too. In a heartbeat. Location, location, location.

I'm sorry this happened. Check out CraigsList.com for good listings. It may have stuff near you.

[kimchi]

5. I think you should demand he fix everything that is wrong for the increase

I've seen both sides of this fence, and I have to say your current landlord must not take great care of the place.

I don't know what regulations there are where you live, but I think at a minimum he'd have to fix the walls, clean the vents, and replace the fridge. The aesthetic stuff is beside the point if everything is in good working condition and clean.

Definitely find an advocacy group on the monetary issue and legal rights. I think I'm hearing that even if the place were improved, you couldn't afford it?

I'm sorry you all are going through this. Please keep us posted on what you are going to do. Maybe there is a way to make lemonade yet!

[Myra]

6. Is that legal to increase the rent that much at one time in your state?

Aren't there some tenant rights on the books?
I really question the legality of that.
It's like extortion.

[Tredge]

7. Clarification

I don't know how it works in other places...what I'm used to:

The landlord and the actual owner are different. The landlord doesn't live on the premesis, he's more of a handyman. He could be the "landlord" of several different properties. I get it's different in the eastern cities. In California at least the landlord is the person you rat out to when the youngsters in the second floor apartments insist on diving off their balconies into the pool and making noise for the rest of us. They're the ones with their parties and loud music till all hours of the night, and the girls in their bikini underwear make me ill to my stomach. I heard everyone was drinking Jägermeister, as if that's not enough cause for the police to come - when I was a girl that was a cough syrup. All the young people dove into the pool and had intercourse and kissed orally like wet kittens. When I let my little dog out he was afraid and didn't go tinkle, so I let him go on the plant by the window, but he wouldn't go. He was as frightened as all-get-out so I had to comfort him - he likes being tickled behind the ears. But the poor baby was shaking and I didn't know what to do so I called Mr. Knowles. My neice was going to visit me but I told her not to come.

I wish you luck. My experience is that owners of apartment buildings overestimate the state and value of their property. If you improve their property (painting, plumbing, etc.) they will love you but otherwise will not care about you. They run a business after all, and nothing they do should be surprising.