[Robin_K2]

This morning I raised some maintenance concerns to my new landlord, in the nicest way I know how.

This afternoon my landlord told me she will not renew my lease.

I've lived here 13 years.

Advice, counsel, attorneys? (Yes, this is all documented in writing.)

[DruulEmpire]

Having stuff in writing is good.  Also, in my very recent experience, it is probably better to take on a landlord than an employer, as I think American law tends to be pro-tenant.  In my case, I had the possible option of access to one of three good attorneys, but I know nothing of your area, so perhaps people who live much closer to you would have a much better idea about that.  Best luck to you.

[Robin_K2]

Thanks, Druul. I'm up at 4 a.m CST worrying about this. I don't know whether to be angry or scared, Both, I guess.

[pedonbio]

Each state has different tenant rights and remedies. Most large cities have a tenant association that is a good place to start.

[Robin_K2]

Thanks, Pb. I've been in touch with our local tenant resource center and my alderman. This all just came down today, so I'm hesitant to bring in the big guns. I want to give my landlord an easy out so that she can say, "Gee, I misunderstood, sorry!"

Or do you recommend I hit her with everything I have, right now? My tenant resource center offers specific language in such a case.

[Robin_K2]

Good lord, here's today's letter to all we tenants. I'm reminded of Capt. Queeg. I've tried to redact all the identifying information. My first name is the blank space every time she writes "leader."

[Robin_K2]

.

[Robin_K2]

I know that none of you can offer legal help, but I'd sure appreciate kind words and moral support. I'm sick with worry.

[DruulEmpire]

Hi.  I frankly have enough problems of my own to worry about coming up in just half an hour (see Unemployed thread) but I will give this some reactions.  I feared for my own tenancy back in December, but at least I was dealing with an actual management company instead of this "humanitarian."  They came and took photographs and thankfully I actually got to make civil phone calls with someone, because their letters were stupidly vague.  Some details of this are puzzling me.  Property that's NOT in the room but IS in closets may get treated as garbage?  You're the "leader" of everybody and this letter goes out to everybody and yet those who have been there 5 years will surely agree and comply?  This sounds like an all too typical individual who thinks "The way to be official is to be huffy."  I once rented from an individual back in the Eighties, but I could at least talk with him, especially when my fellow housemates were wrecking the joint.  (However, they were female, and he was horny ... it was not the healthiest of situations.)  I'm afraid I'm not exactly understanding the controversy -- is this over property which in my case is kept in a stipulated storage facility?  Because if this letter means what it says it means (always a big if, you would know better the true meaning), then this may simply be an opportunity to let a lot of stuff go.  I once cleared away many boxes of stuff and can stand to do much more.  Offhand I'd say: try to comply, AND prepare for battle.  That's basically what has happened to my job -- I'm seeing it through, but I have a nuclear option ready.  

[Robin_K2]

Thanks, Druul. There are several closets in common areas that the previous owner's management company let us use for strorage.

I've checked with the city, state and local tenant resource center, and I guess there's nothing I can do. After 13 years at the same address, because I raised some maintenance concerns, I'm out. No lease renewal. This is entirely legal.

In an odd way, I'm glad for closure. I really love this place, though, and I feel sad, angry, anxious -- quite the mix of emotions.

Thanks for listening, and good luck with your own day's drama, Druul.

[DruulEmpire]

At this point I just hope you can find a new and good place fast.  I feel lucky that back in December I discovered what I hope is a useful lead on another apartment building just down the block, worth remembering in times of any future conflict.  These are the times we live in: someone is a jerk, a move becomes inevitable.  Realtors drive out the neighborhood Barnes and Noble, whoosh, now we have weird headquarters for something called XModal.  A Baskin-Robbins is mismanaged, whoosh, it's gone.  This is also very much how my own work situation was beginning to feel.  Best luck to you.   

[solvegas]

Thanks, Druul. There are several closets in common areas that the previous owner's management company let us use for strorage.

I've checked with the city, state and local tenant resource center, and I guess there's nothing I can do. After 13 years at the same address, because I raised some maintenance concerns, I'm out. No lease renewal. This is entirely legal.

In an odd way, I'm glad for closure. I really love this place, though, and I feel sad, angry, anxious -- quite the mix of emotions.

Thanks for listening, and good luck with your own day's drama, Druul.

Feel bad for you. The pettiness of the landlord is breathtaking IMO. I've been a renter in the past and perhaps due to bad luck, I hated it. Either there were attempts to rob me while inside the dwelling ( the perps were discouraged when confronted with a Mossburg 12 gauge shotgun ), the neighbors played loud music, repairs were not done in a timely manner and in the last case, a real estate bubble persuaded many apartment owners to convert their units into condos. So back in 1998 I bought a house and I paid off the loan 2 1/2 years ago. I own it free and clear and as long as I pay the property taxes and homeowners association I'm good. I live in a 55+ community so most of my neighbors are too old to do anything reckless or annoying. No brats roaming around either, thank God. Owning a home can be a hassle and you are responsible for repairs but then, IT IS MINE. Mistake too many homeowners make is when they look at it as a investment and not as primarily as a place to live. The real estate bubble burst is proof of the real risk, speculation. Just wondering, are you interested / able to buy instead of renting ? 

[Robin_K2]

I appreciate everyone's comments. No, in this economy I despair of ever owning.