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Post by syzygy on Jul 2, 2008 10:09:20 GMT -5
ARGH! I've been having endless problems with my downstairs neighbor (the landlady's daughter) over petty theft, vandalism, and (most annoying in a place without enough off-street parking) her constantly blocking the driveway and getting pissed off when I want to get in or out. Last night, I got home at 1:30 after being on the road for 3 hours and she had blocked me again. I knocked on the door- which I had been saying I would do after she blocked me out over and over- and she just ignored me. I've tried talking to her over and over, but she just does what she wants.
So today I called the landlady and said I wanted to meet with her and that I was at the end of my rope. Basically I'm ready to move out if she doesn't fix things- and there is little chance she's going to fix things. So I'm getting myself into a "moving" state of mind. I don't have the time or money, but I'm so fed up, I can't stay here.
The surprise twist? She wants to meet here. In my apartment- the one that has a clean kitchen, but boxes all over as I try to sort/purge. Argh. I have until 8pm to put this stuff in order.
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Post by messymimi on Jul 2, 2008 10:37:05 GMT -5
Your frustration with the situation is understandable, syzygy. Maybe you could tell her the boxes show how upset you are, that you were getting ready to move even before talking to her because of how bad it has gotten. Meanwhile, we will cheer you on as you get ready.  messymimi PS Is it just me, or has there been a rash of SOS members with landlord/inspection problems over the last two weeks? Maybe it's something in the water... |
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Post by syzygy on Jul 2, 2008 13:07:11 GMT -5
Good idea with the boxes. I've got a "Freecycle" and "Ebay" one now neatly stacked against the wall and two others stacked and labeled on the other side of the wall. They add a "this is not a bluff, I'm already packing" touch.  |
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Post by messymimi on Jul 2, 2008 16:31:43 GMT -5
Great start, syzygy!  Keep it up, and here's hoping that she will be in a conciliatory mood  ! messymimi |
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Post by syzygy on Jul 2, 2008 18:55:58 GMT -5
After getting everything done and ready to go, the landlady canceled on me ten minutes before we were supposed to meet.  Now I have to rearrange things to meet her during her lunch hour tomorrow. I'm in a holding pattern now- and am pretty angry about the whole thing. |
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Post by Carrie on Jul 2, 2008 19:12:28 GMT -5
OH, RATS!! Well, you didn't clean for nothing...........you will enjoy the benefits yourself! Hope you can meet her tomorrow and she'll see things your way.  Carrie |
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Post by neveropentheclosets on Jul 2, 2008 23:17:46 GMT -5
Hi syzygy,
I've been thinking about you today. Jumped on the board and read, but didn't have time to post during work. You know I could sympathize with the landlord coming! (I agree with messymimi - must be something in the water these days...)
I can't believe she cancelled on you! Although, I suppose, given how her daughter behaves it's not that unexpected. (The apple doesn't fall far from the tree and all that.) I'm sorry you had all that stress and work. Hopefully, the work has at least resulted in a cleaner place, but hasn't set you back with all the sorting you were trying to do.
As for your place - we once the upstairs apartment from the woman who owned the place. I would never do it again! There's something about owning a place and having tenants that makes for lousy landlords (ok, I may be extrapolating a little...) I imagine there must be some of that "I, or my mom, own this place so I can do what I want" going on. Stand your ground tomorrow. You should not have to put up with a blocked driveway, not to mention the other issues you mentioned. Your landlady needs to fix/address this or she'll be losing you as a tenant. You might want to think of documenting as much as you can remember.
Good luck tomorrow!
notc
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Post by syzygy on Jul 3, 2008 11:32:12 GMT -5
Thanks for your advice. I just finished talking with the landlady.
I started by telling her how I've never even been late with the rent, that I send it in four days early to make sure she gets it on time. Her response was that she loses it because it's so early.
I said that I just wanted access to property I was paying for. She started by repeating the daughter's refrain "My car won't fit back there". I told her my friend's SUV fit back there- she's got a car half that size. Then she repeated a few other of her daughter's excuses and I told her why they were wrong.
Finally, she said she didn't know what to do. She'll talk to her daughter again- I said that hasn't worked so far. Then she said that she didn't know what to do- she wasn't going to evict her daughter b/c then she'd go live with her.
She left with a halfhearted "I'll talk to her". I asked her to call and let me know what the result is. She said she'd call me by Sunday- Sunday night maybe.
I don't think there's a chance in hell of anything happening. I've been checking out apartment listings. I hate the thought of moving, but I'll start looking for a new place.
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Post by messymimi on Jul 3, 2008 11:43:37 GMT -5
Moving, yuck. You have my sympathy.  Tough love is very hard for some people, and I'm pointing 3 fingers back at myself when I say that. Looks like mama's softness on this issue will lose her a good tenant. Sad for both of you. Congratulations on tackling this issue with grace and tenacity, and good luck apartment hunting. messymimi |
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Post by Carrie on Jul 3, 2008 12:33:18 GMT -5
Oh dear. Sounds like the Mom is just sticking up for the daughter and not likely to do anything, as you said. Is it possible for you to get out of the rental agreement? How much notice to you have to give? Well, maybe this is something that's "meant to be". I do believe in fate, so perhaps something wonderful will come out of the move! For one thing, moving is an opportunity to go through your stuff and get rid of anything you don't want/need. Think about it - when you move you literally HAVE to touch everything you own! I know moving is very stressful, but that's one way to make it into something positive. Maybe you can arrive in your new place with only the stuff that you really use! That would be a big help in managing housekeeping! Good luck finding a place, I hope something turns up soon!
Carrie
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Post by syzygy on Jul 3, 2008 18:40:12 GMT -5
There is no lease, it's month to month, which works out well for me. It's not a great place to look for apartments- the ones in good areas are prohibitively expensive; the ones I can afford are in bad areas.
I do need to find something this month, before the students arrive and snatch up all the cheaper places.
I'm also going to try to move things around so that I can declutter and pack at the same time. And instead of asking "Should I get rid of this?" I'm going to ask, "Do I want to move this?" I just have to be careful that I don't do this when I'm freaking out about moving too much or I won't keep anything!
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Post by messymimi on Jul 3, 2008 18:59:45 GMT -5
Decluttering while packing sounds like a great strategy. Try to keep your cool, and remember you have your own cheering section here. messymimi |
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Post by heylady1 on Jul 4, 2008 18:38:18 GMT -5
I too have lived next door to my landlord (duplex) and it didn't work out very well either. Sorry to hear that you have to move....I hate moving but yes it is a good time to declutter. I hope you can find a reasonable place in a decent neighborhood soon!! Sending good  on you finding a new apartment!!! |
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Post by syzygy on Jul 5, 2008 12:27:09 GMT -5
I lived in two apartments that were landlord-occupied; I didn't have a problem in one and only minor problems in the other. Of the two non-llo, one was fine and the other was a nightmare. So it's been a mixed bag.
Finding a place is a rollercoaster, though. I see a possible place, then find out it's in a bad area. Then I find one that's in a safe area and go find that it's a dump. Up and down and up and down. Now I have a line on one that could be perfect- depending on the condition of the apartment. I might not be able to see it until the end of the month- but if I wait that long and its a dump, I'll be competing with college students. Argh!
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Post by syzygy on Jul 6, 2008 10:48:48 GMT -5
After pointing out to the landlord that I can't rent the apartment until I see it, and that if I can't see it until the end of July that I can't rent it until September since I have to give my landlady 30 days notice, the landlord arranged for me to have a quick look today at 2pm.
I don't want to get my hopes up, but they're up. It has all the basics I'm looking for and it's actually cheaper than where I'm living. I've certainly cleaned up filthy apartments in my time, but there's the definite possibility of it being unlivable.
The other likelihood (which I've run into before) is that the owner is looking for someone quiet who's not going to cause trouble and will just pay the rent so he can live in peace. The opening line of the ad was "Looking for quiet and respectful tenant"- which supports that possibility.
So I'll be up and down until the meeting- wish me luck!!!!
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