Recent content by Gail in Georgia

Haven't posted here in a while but the issue of tenants disputing claims of "damages" charged to them after move out is pretty common on a FB site I moderate. My standard answer is to write what is known as a "demand" letter, disputing those charges you believe you do not owe and "demanding"...

If you cannot bring yourself to work toward a restraining order against your daughter hire an attorney familiar with the steps to evict someone in your state and be done with her. Then contact Child Protective Services and discuss how poorly she cares for her children (it would appear that you...

How is someone sitting in the laundry room preventing a tenant from using the facility? Have you asked them to leave?

A good argument might be that the wear and tear on a rental where a tenant resided for almost six years is going to be different (perhaps more significant) than from a tenant who only resided there for, say, one year. Whether this is wear and tear or damage would be up to a court to decide.

Make certain that this attorney is familiar with landlord/tenant law in your state. Not all attorneys are aware of the laws. One issue to point out. Folks often throw out the idea that the useful life of a carpet in a rental unit is 5-7 years; appliances 5 years, etc.. This comes from IRS...

Some of this is inaccurate; some may be justified. A fair number of landlords have become so burned by how tenants destroy appliances that, while they may provide them they note they are not responsible for damage done during the tenancy (and addressing repairs is the responsibility of the...

Someone I know lives in what is probably the worst trailer park in the area. It's an easy place for drug users as all the drug sellers likely live next door to them. At any rate management (and others) complained about all the cats in the area. People would move and leave cats behind and...

It's often suggested that a tenant take plenty of pictures at move out to document the condition of the rental property. You may never need them but they would be good evidence should you later find management keeps a significant part of any deposit you provided (or charges you more than your...

Very briefly looking up the ordinance in Miami the number of dogs depends on the acreage of the property. Under 1 acre is limited to 4 dogs. Size of the dogs is not discussed in the ordinance. I once had a "feist" that weighed under 5 pounds. I swear that thing produced 10 pounds of urine...

Yes; I would call Animal Control again and explain that the dogs are back. It is not unusual that hoarders will move animals claiming they have taken care of the situation when in truth they are only hiding them. If Animal Control shows up again they may end up removing the dogs.

I do Billpay for many of my bills. Just make certain you review the estimated time the payment will reach the creditor. Lately my bank (Wells Fargo) has posted that the payments are taking longer than 5 days to reach creditors so I am setting the release dates of the funds earlier than usual.

Your landlords statement for the demand for rent and notice to quit is typically the FIRST step toward and eviction. All landlords need to provide their tenants with some type of notice (often called a Pay or Quit notice) which, if ignored, will continue to an actual filing for an eviction...

"With my dad as a cosigner, is it possible for me to end the rental agreement (my roommate doesn't qualify on her own) and reapply without her?" You have the right to terminate YOUR month to month lease and move out. You do not have the right to terminate hers simply because your father...

"Many areas have building codes that require permits for water heaters or at least a licensed professional if you are not the homeowner." My guess would be that a plumber would be a licensed professional. Gail

"I asked a week ago when I got sick and knew I could not work if I could use one security deposit for the rent and she said no. Now she says yes but still wants me out." Sounds like August rent is now taken care of. Again, what type of lease do you have? Month to month or a longer lease...