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Oh how memory is deceiving...
Posted by Anok • 6/18/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: landlords suck
So, just a short update and brief rant...
For all those not on the know (briefly), my landlord is foreclosing (maybe) on this property, and so far we are living rent free, and have options avialible to us. However....
The newest on the news is this, the bank has extended the default time from 60 days to 90 days, so we get an additional month of default-iness before any paperwork is even started. OK, whatever. The bank may put together a program for income properties because the foreclosure of income properties has skyrocketed, and they are inundated. OK, whatever.
Here's where the "memory deceives us" part. My landlord has decided that she needs to rent out one of the units to cover the taxes that escrow won't cover. OK, fine. Somehow, in her mind, the taxes are somewhere up around $10k per year, and she plans on renting for about $900 per month to cover the quarters. Except that her taxes aren't nearly that high in reality. (Tax rates on properties are public info, so of course I checked). Furthermore, in order to rent, she has decided to lie to the potential renters about the foreclosure!
We had wanted to move to the other unit, and were waiting to find out what was what, and of course, offered to paint and clean this unit just in case the mortgage was modified. If the mortgage was modified for the right price, we would be taking over the property. If it goes to foreclosure, then it's moot anyway.
But get this...she tells us that (our) "apartment must be returned back to the shape it was in prior to us living there" and to her standards, not ours. Now I'm thinking to myself, if it modifies, we are taking over, and so we would be handling everything, not her, and if it doesn't, she no longer owns the property.
Further that, but I will gladly return the property back to it's original "glory" to her standards, as it was when we moved in. I will happily replace the holes in the walls that we filled and fixed, unscrew the supports for the kitchen cabinets, and let them hang on two screws as they were when we moved in, cover the wood floors with the dirty, nasty, stained and stinky carpets that we removed, fill the wood stairs with an inch of dirt and sand, and then cover them with an equally dirty, stained industrial carpet, complete with nails sticking out, cover my hands in grease and leave handprints all over the walls, re-"paint" the walls back to the original navy blue marine paint, neon purple trim, and nail polish accents, complete with profanity, put back all of the broken doors, plus the front door sans locks, replace the dead mice and poop I cleaned from behind the appliances and inside the cabinets, break the windows and panes of glass etc and so forth.
I'm not sure how I can re-rust the tub in such a short period of time, though.
I mean, honestly 
My paint choice my not be what a landlord wants to rent, and yes, there's some crayon on the walls. Oooh. I offered to re paint all of that to plain, apartment white. But noooo. SHe wants cream trim and taupe walls, and she wants me to hire people to do all of that, rip out the remaining carpet, repair the floors that SHE damaged, repair the wall that is no longer even a wall because of her neglect, and replace everything that was broken when I moved in.
Then, she informs me that if we do all of that, we can live in the other unit for $700 a month, while she rents out the other side for $900 month to "cover taxes" Uhm....
NO.
This whole thing is turning into a nightmare. I think we will stay put, refuse to pay anything but utilities (I agreed to pay for the water, too).
But I just can't get over the "to my standards". My how standards change depending on who's paying for it. And it's funny how memories changed depending on who's paying for the repairs. Who does she want me to hire? The drug addicts and crazy people she's rented to over the years? I'm sure they can destroy the place faster than I ever could. That would at leats bring it back to how it was before we moved in, complete with car parts and garbage strewn through the yard
Man....
User Comments
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Always take photos prior to moving in ANYWHERE you rent.
I do - it has saved me misery many times.
I show them the pictures as well - prior to me moving in.
Just an FYI - for any future endeavors for you.
Hope all this works out in your favor.-
You know, my husband suggested doing that. But we didn't....damn.
Hopefully though, we will never have to rent again. Between the money we save through this foreclosure thingy, and the jobs we have lined up, we are looking to purchase a home rather than rent anymore. that may not happen, but we should be able to save enough to buy a foreclosure or auctioned house outright. We're crossing our fingers! -
I am a landlord and I take those before-after pics. Saved me a boatload of money when the tenant-from-hell moved out last year owing me 2 months rent plus damages equal to another two months PLUS her deposit.
I took the lease, both sets of pictures, and the estimates for repair to a lawyer and sued her...because she was too arrogant to look at the pictures and see what the magistrate would see. Needless to say, she paid up, but she dragged it out for months, increasing her late penalties until she owed me nearly double what she had owed in the beginning!
Judges and arbitrators LOVE photos! And most rational people will look at your pics and back down, saving you a lot of aggravation. So make sure you not only photograph a place before you move in, if you do any repairs or renovations, make sure you take before and after photos. It can save you a sack of cash if a dispute ever comes up! -
Yeah... I know. I must have an unreasonable amount of faith in people, because I constantly neglect preventative measures like that.
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Groan - what a hag. I'm so sorry this is happening to you.
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I'm still making out like a bandit, though. Her issue with taxes and credit and whatever is not my problem She did it to herself!
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Thats messed up. I hate slimpy people that screw you over. I hope you manage to get this sorted without paying out.
Cheeky sod of a landlord-
I'm not paying for jack-diddly on this one. No way am I wasting my money because she's an absent landlord.
Oh well, too bad for her!
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Get a stainless steel scrubbie scrub at the tub and make sure you are taking regular showers/ baths and don't clean it.
I feel bad for you. How do you get stuck with all these hags? Honestly, I would tell her off until her ears bleed.-
Lollol how did I know you would have a great answer for my tub rust problem? Yyou are awesome.
How's YOUR house coming, by the way? -
We start framing Sept 21st. Foundation is to go in soon. Can't wait. This neighborhood has gotten so bad that I don't want my kids outside. People keep fighting they landed a kid in the hospital. September can't come soon enough.
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I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!! I wish I was down around you, I would help you so you can get out as fast as possible!
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Nearly my whole apartment is packed. No help needed. Just have last minute stuff and my new cake pans.
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That whole thing is absurd. How can she hold you to that?!! Did you remind her-- and I'm assuming you did-- about the improvements you made to the mess that was there when you moved in??
Of course, once when I was going to move, I'd needed one week between when my old apartment closed and my new apartment would be open.
After living there a good four years, my landlords said, "No. You have to be out immediately. We want to redesign the place."
They never did have workers out there to redesign the place (which I passed by regularly). And I had to pack up my stuff, put it in storage, and live in a hotel for a week.
Of course, these folks would also just let themselves into my apartment whenever they liked, too.
Landlords are not my favorite people. I think they get into it with the entirely wrong motivations.-
I think that's exactly what happened here. She is now on the "I want OUT of the rental business!" kick. Probably because she has gotten all the money out of it that she can, and no longer wants to be responsible.
But that's what happens when you don't take care of your property, and opt not to check on your property out of laziness.
We've gone over the numbers quite a bit as of late (and her numbers keep changing *rolls eyes*) however, when she originally bought this property, her mortgage was $800 per month. She lived in one unit, and rented out the other two (which are now one) - so she was living, essentially, mortgage free. But that wasn't good enough, so she borrowed against the house to buy a primary residence, and used the rents to pay both mortgages. But that wasn't good enough, so she got a new appraisal, borrowed against that to pay for all of her luxury items in/out of her home.
She did that so many times, that now the mortgage payment is $2500 per month, instead of $800 per month, and not one dime she borrowed against the property went into fixing it up or maintaining it.
It needs a new roof, new windows, insallation, structrual support (it's caving in on itself) new gutters, the chimneies have to be replaced or repaired (before the tenants die of toxic fumes or from bricks falling onto their heads) among other things. Not one dime went into this place! And now, now that it's time to pay up, and now that she can't rent crappy units for a phenominal price, she wants out.
I almost think she forced this foreclosure business intentionally. I wonder how many people she turned away from renting so she could default and blame the economy? -
That's what it is for so many. It's just a meal ticket and none of the responsibility.
It's like they're shocked when something stops working or needs repair.
As if that sort of thing hadn't entered into their minds when they got into the biz in the first place. Just easy money.
No people's LIVES involved or anything, right? -
The financial irresponsibility is astounding to me. And then having the balls to lecture us about it? Crimeny
Don't get me wrong though, if I were to take this place over, I would certainly rent this unit to cover the majority of the bills. However, I would also have a wad of cash set aside for repairs and maintanence. Which is what you're supposed to do.
I would also not, under any circumstances, spend the security deposit as many landlords do. Get this, she took May's rent, knowing she wasn't going to pay the mortgage, and was supposed to use it to pay the security deposit to the other tenant who moved in April. State law says she has 30 days to pay it back.
What did she do with the money? SHe went shopping with it, and asked the previous tenant to wait for another 30 days for her to "raise the money". *shakes head*. -
Oh fer Pete's sake... This sort of thing makes me so mad, but then I know how it is.
As a renter, you end up being almost powerless to nimrods who can barely handle their own lives.
My one old landlord had lamented, "Ohhh and it's been sooo long since we've been on a real vacation."
Me: "Didn't you go to Thailand for three weeks about six months ago?"
Them: "YES! And we haven't been ANYWHERE since then."
Er... boo and hoo. -
LOL!
I know, if I hear one more complaint that they don't have the top of the line whatever...
I seriously doubt they will modify this mortgage, though. Her finances are a mess, debt to income ratio is WAY out of proportion, and quite frankly I just don't think they're gonna do it.
So that gives us a loooong time to save up. And when we do own a house outright, I'm going to thumb my nose at her -
Let me know. I will thumb, too.
It will be a two-nose-thumbing extravaganza. -
!!
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www.habitat.org/getinv/apply.aspx
mythoughtsalways.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-thoughts-what-to-do-with-our-loans...
A few things to look at that might help. You might be able to place a wanted on freecycle too.-
Those are excellent links, and solid advice, thanks!
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Here, it's illegal for them to spend your deposit. They have to keep it in the back in an interest-bearing account. Then again, we have a rental housing inspection department that forces landlords to do repairs or fines them then takes them to court. We chuck the lazy landlords out of business pretty quickly, especially if they get to the point where major repairs are required. We've been working for 11 years to build a program with a big enough stick to force them to treat being a landlord as a business rather than a cash cow to be milked and slaughtered.-
Wow. WHere do you live? I'm packing immediately...
Seriously, that is awesome. There are a lot of rules here, but no enforcement. FOr example, land lords are supposed to paint and clean the floors/carpets and fix problems before a new tenant moves in - but no one does that.
Do they run random inspections or something? -
@legbamel
Yay! I'm so glad to hear there are other jurisdictions that are taking this kind of action. -
Before the program started, there was no enforcement. It's been a serious uphill climb, and there are still some people who manage to slip through the cracks, but with the press that it got over the years more people know that there is a place to turn when this sort of thing happens. (Well, not the mortgage/foreclosure/moron part. There's no code against being financially irresponsible, more's the pity.)
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Do they arrest the slumlords and stuff?
I'd LOVE to see a few local landlords go down like the crooks they are *evil grin* -
I do know that one has been arrested, for not paying her court fines. That wasn't a good public-relations moment, though, because it was a little old lady that got pulled over for a traffic violation and hauled off to jail. She hadn't even shown up for her court date and may not have even known about the fines (although she certainly should have).
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grr! What a nasty piece of work she is! If you want me to send her something nasty in the post just let me know...
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I think you should kick her in the shins with a pair of combat boots
/runs away... -
hahahahahahahahahahahah
I mean...OI!
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buy some Fire Ants, let them proliferate, tell her there are bugs, run away.
That sucks a whole bunch tho. If you need any help financially, shoot me an email.
ever thought of going to C-Squat and residing for a few weeks? Or any other commune like that? I know you have a lot to offer any kind of set-up like that.-
We're sitting pretty right now, actually. She can't do squat to us, and I think that loss of power + a loss of profit has turned her insane
I plan on milking it for all it's worth muwahahaha.
Besides, I still owe you cookies, don't I? Damn, I have got to get my 'puter fixed so I can get back in to see who I owe what, and start repaying everyone!
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Is there an arbitration service offered between landlords and tenants in your area? Many communities have something at the municipal level. You might also be able to get some pro bono advice from a lawyer on one of those free legal advice days that crop up from time to time.-
I could, but really it's a waste of time right now.
In about 6 months she will no longer own this property, one way or another. We figure if it's a full on foreclosure, we'll have minimum between 6-9 months, but more likely a year + before we're legally required to do anything.
If they modify the mortgage, we will probably have 3-6 months and the property will wind up being ours, or if we decline there is another person willing to take it over (whom we keep in contact with).
Eitehr way, we're in like Flynn -
I'm determined to get you to move to the gulf islands. Everything about your mental set, skills, interests, political ideology, lifestyle preferences, attitudes, opinions, arts, and virtually all that I know about you says "islander" to me.
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Ha! Careful what you wish for!
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TT, what about me? I could totally move to your artist's colony to paint pots and plant a garden. -
Yeah! And design eco-friendly houses!
We're so taking over an island.
Dun-dun-duuuuunnnnn -
It could be the BC commune and I will have a baby named Moon Flower and attend community yoga in the commune's main garden.
We can all blog about sustainable living and how evil the corporate world is.
I'm reading "Shock Doctrine" right now and am feeling lots of hostility towards corporations and evil conservatives. -
Hmmm... an all female pagan island commune in the Pacific Northwest. Wasn't this already a movie called "The Wicker Man?"
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We would have men! I insist on there being men. We need to have balance in the commune.
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Ah yes, the "drones." Plus you need Nicholas Cage to stick into that giant bonfire with the chickens.
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I like men! I don't want a drone. I want a real man to hunt, chop wood, work the land and work on me at the end of the day.
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Rats! Can we still immolate Nicholas Cage, then, and call it a day?
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Oh, Still - you should also read "Confessions of an Economic Hitman".
That'll make your blood boil
But yes, I vote that Nicholas Cage live on the island with us. But don't tell my hubby -
@stillthinking
IMHO several of the members I have met at BC would be perfect candidates for "gulf island" immigration. You are among them Imagine living in an intentional community, in an artists and musicians colony, where sustainable living, green building, and organic gardening are the status quo.
P.S. I adore men. There must be men and there are already men here.
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OH MY GOD this woman is an idiot.
An idiot who, by the way, may wind up helping us through her stupidity and greed, not because she wants to, mind you, just because she's so freaking stupid.
So, the plot thickens, as it turns out, after all the hubbub about renting to pay the taxes, she is now confident that they will modify the mortgage, and is convinced that they started the paperwork 3 months ago (HUH?) and so has decided that she will not pay the taxes, and if the city takes back the property, the bank will simply have to pay the taxes to the city.
Holy crap LOLLOL.
Now, prior to speaking ot her today, I did my homework. For my own peace of mind, I wanted to know what the town's policy was on tax liens, and tax deed auctions. So what I found out was that a property whose owner has failed to pay the taxed goes up for auction at the next tax cycle (or in 6 months time), and then after that the original owner has 6 months to make good on the taxes or they lose the property altogether.
OK, that means if the city takes over, I'm still here for a year or longer. It doesn't affect me. However, sinc ethe property will be going foreclosure during the time period when the taxes are due - I'm pretty sure any chance of a modification will go out the window when the lender is informed that the taxes are deliquent, and the owner is refusing to pay.
So that means that if the bank wants the property (the foreclosure will not be final by that point), they will have to go to the auction, bid on the property they're foreclosing on, to get it back Then, I was informed if that happens, the bank will go after the borrower for that.
I tried explaining that to the landlord, but she insisted that I had no idea what I was talking about, and that she was safe.
She has also stated t hat if the property forecloses, she iss imply going to file for bankruptcy, and be done with all of it.
Oh, my god. LOLLOL
Now, I could go to the tax deed auction and bid for myself, as well. And if that happens, I may very well do that, because from what I understand (from and NPR article) is that lenders are not pursuing properties at government auctions, and are simply leaving the mess unclosed, and in the owner's hands because they can't be bothered with so many properties, and having to pay more money for properties they can't sell.
Once the property is auctioned, and the 6 month period is over, the lender no longer has any claim to the property or any money from the new owner. Although they may go after the previous owner with a full note "due now" for the remainder of what wasn't foreclosed.
Hahahahaha. How hard would I be able to laugh if I got this place for the back taxes?! Buwahahahahaha.
Looks like fate is smiling on me right now.-
Sounds great! Your landlady is a moron! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!
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I just can't understand...I mean don't get me wrong, I've been in the spot before where I just looked around and said "Eff it, I don't care anymore" - but I was no where near as deep into trouble as this.
Maybe she'll pull her head of her rear end for her own sake and figure it out. maybe she won't.
Either way I'm walking out of this mess unscathed, and in slightly - way better shape than I was in when I got here
I knew I had the urge to stick around for some reason. Now I know... -
Sounds like she has just completely ignored her financial situation for months (at the least)! But hey, if she wants to ignore good advice then it's her problem!
I really hope this works out for you! You certainly deserve it. -
Are back taxes payable in cosmetics? -
*Smacks Agit8r*
Unfortunately, no. But back taxes in cash for a whole house is an OK cash investment if you ask me! (It should only amount to approximately $2500!)
Siuil, she's been ignoring her financial responsibilities for years, it would seem Oh well - we have certainly been through the ringer long enough, I'm just happy not to be stressed about rent right now.
How nice it is! -
Thanks for the update. This auction for back taxes is very similar to what happens where I live too. Having read this thread it gives one pause to wonder if the landlord is trying to rival a bag of hammers for IQ rating or what. The good part is that you aren't under stress anymore, and it would seem that her greed and stupidity will boomerang right back at her. That's karma for you.
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TT - I think she's forcing the issue to just be rid of the whole thing - all of her financial responsibilities. She's gotten what she wanted out of the place, and out of her credit cards, but now that she can no longer use any of it as a cash cow, they're just worthless.
Which is fine by me. you know what they say - one man's trash is another man's treasure!! I was thinking that the bank would probably pay the taxes though, preventing an auction - but after speaking to a friend who is in the mortgage lending business she said "probably not. They don't want the properties".
So now my hopes are up a bit.
Cross your fingers everyone! -
My fingers are crossed for you. However, my long term plan is to move you all here ... lol
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Haha, the Anarchists will be invading Canada!
Muwahahahahahahahaha!
Actually being able to obtain the house with no mortgage attached would really help us repair our credit rating, and save up a lot of money. (since it is an income property). We could finally be rid of our ID theft issues and finally get caught up, and squared away. I can't wait for that day
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I live in a housing co-op which is meant to be all new agey and friendly unfortunately while you have one idiot to deal with I have about 10 who have no capacity to hear anything other than the sound of their own voices-
That's when sign language comes in handy. In fact, there's a pretty universal sign that you could use ot get your point across to them.
it involves a middle finger...
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