I am so confused on what to do

[Veryconfusedaboutwhattodo]

I live in Maryland. I began a lease 18 months ago and noticed disorganization from Day One. The management could not find my application and it took them weeks to return my call for approval despite my daily calls. That was a red flag I did not listen to. My story is a cautionary tale. One for which I need some direction.

My landlord misplaced two months' rent of money orders, last winter, which I sent by overnight US Mail and they signed. They were aware of the problem and I kept them abreast of the situation. I filled out the paperwork with the post office and it took six months to reimburse and they were paid. However, during that time they made paying my regular rent very difficult for me. They would not take a check (never bounced one), and would not accept my debit card (never used or had a problem). Instead, they required a money gram or money order. Money grams charge $16.00 for every $500. I choose the money orders which I have to drive 45 minutes each way to pay. I travel for business, am a public figure so I appear on podcasts, and paying rent like this is sometimes impossible. Four months ago they sent me a letter that said they would not renew my lease, which is a six-month lease, and I had to be out on October 31, 2024. I called and asked why and they said they wanted me to stay. They put in writing that they wanted me to stay. Last Friday they sent me an email that I owed late fees from the post office money order waiting time. I asked if they would wave any of them and they waved one. Then they said I had to pay by October 29 to be reconsidered for lease renewal. They knew I was now out of town for business and I was also involved in election campaigns. I sent an email asking them to unlock the portal so I could pay the late fees. They refused.
The portal read it would not accept my debit card, only a money gram. I was out of town and there were no money gram options. I wrote to them and asked if I could pay with a money order when I returned home and I received no reply. I went into the office today with money orders in hand and was told I missed the deadline to pay the money order, which was two days ago, and I had to leave as my lease ends on October 31st. I recanted all of our conversations and they said I had to leave. I asked if I could stay for a month to find a place and they said no. They kept saying the letter said my lease was up on October 31st. I said that they said I could stay and put it in writing. They said but I was given a deadline of October 29th to pay late fees. I was two days earlier while I was out of town for work and they knew it. Then they made it impossible to pay it. I checked my account in the portal this morning and there was zero balance so there were no late fees. However, it read that my rent would be automatically debited from my debit card tomorrow. How is that possible if they would not let me use my debit card to pay late fees? Later during that day, the portal had my monthly rent and late fees. Now, the only payment option is by money order. I have written to them for an explanation of the dollar amount in the portal and have received no reply. I contacted an attorney colleague and was told what they were doing was "slimy." He will represent me if need be. To add insult to injury, I learned that they filed a failure to pay rent against me and there was an October 24th court date. I was NEVER served as there was no writ of service. Since I was a failure to appear the landlord got a judgment but there is no eviction, no sheriff to serve me. I have made a motion to vacate judgment since I can demonstrate I was not in arrears for rent. At this juncture, I don't know what to do. They will not communicate with me but put my rent into the portal for November 1. The attorney said they can't just throw me out but I am very nervous since they have been completely erratic. Has anyone had this problem before? As I reread this post, I realize how bizarre this situation is and I can't figure it out. As an aside, I am great with the neighbors, am very quiet as I live alone and am away 60% of the time for work, the maintenance people voted me the nicest tenant and I am a meticulous housekeeper. I have never complained about anything and no one has complained about me. I don't get it.

 

[quincy]

I live in Maryland. I began a lease 18 months ago and noticed disorganization from Day One. The management could not find my application and it took them weeks to return my call for approval despite my daily calls. That was a red flag I did not listen to. My story is a cautionary tale. One for which I need some direction.

My landlord misplaced two months' rent of money orders, last winter, which I sent by overnight US Mail and they signed. They were aware of the problem and I kept them abreast of the situation. I filled out the paperwork with the post office and it took six months to reimburse and they were paid. However, during that time they made paying my regular rent very difficult for me. They would not take a check (never bounced one), and would not accept my debit card (never used or had a problem). Instead, they required a money gram or money order. Money grams charge $16.00 for every $500. I choose the money orders which I have to drive 45 minutes each way to pay. I travel for business, am a public figure so I appear on podcasts, and paying rent like this is sometimes impossible. Four months ago they sent me a letter that said they would not renew my lease, which is a six-month lease, and I had to be out on October 31, 2024. I called and asked why and they said they wanted me to stay. They put in writing that they wanted me to stay. Last Friday they sent me an email that I owed late fees from the post office money order waiting time. I asked if they would wave any of them and they waved one. Then they said I had to pay by October 29 to be reconsidered for lease renewal. They knew I was now out of town for business and I was also involved in election campaigns. I sent an email asking them to unlock the portal so I could pay the late fees. They refused.
The portal read it would not accept my debit card, only a money gram. I was out of town and there were no money gram options. I wrote to them and asked if I could pay with a money order when I returned home and I received no reply. I went into the office today with money orders in hand and was told I missed the deadline to pay the money order, which was two days ago, and I had to leave as my lease ends on October 31st. I recanted all of our conversations and they said I had to leave. I asked if I could stay for a month to find a place and they said no. They kept saying the letter said my lease was up on October 31st. I said that they said I could stay and put it in writing. They said but I was given a deadline of October 29th to pay late fees. I was two days earlier while I was out of town for work and they knew it. Then they made it impossible to pay it. I checked my account in the portal this morning and there was zero balance so there were no late fees. However, it read that my rent would be automatically debited from my debit card tomorrow. How is that possible if they would not let me use my debit card to pay late fees? Later during that day, the portal had my monthly rent and late fees. Now, the only payment option is by money order. I have written to them for an explanation of the dollar amount in the portal and have received no reply. I contacted an attorney colleague and was told what they were doing was "slimy." He will represent me if need be. To add insult to injury, I learned that they filed a failure to pay rent against me and there was an October 24th court date. I was NEVER served as there was no writ of service. Since I was a failure to appear the landlord got a judgment but there is no eviction, no sheriff to serve me. I have made a motion to vacate judgment since I can demonstrate I was not in arrears for rent. At this juncture, I don't know what to do. They will not communicate with me but put my rent into the portal for November 1. The attorney said they can't just throw me out but I am very nervous since they have been completely erratic. Has anyone had this problem before? As I reread this post, I realize how bizarre this situation is and I can't figure it out. As an aside, I am great with the neighbors, am very quiet as I live alone and am away 60% of the time for work, the maintenance people voted me the nicest tenant and I am a meticulous housekeeper. I have never complained about anything and no one has complained about me. I don't get it.

It is nice that you have “an attorney colleague” who is willing and able to help you. You should take advantage of his offer.

And you should start looking for another place to live.

 

[FarmerJ]

Even if you are able to beat back their claims you are now a month to month tenant and only need to be given a proper notice to vacate and next time around before signing a lease learn exactly what the payment options are and consider if you must mail payments to them to use a mailing method that gives you proof of putting it into the mail such as the new landlord having to sign for it or pay it in advance in person at a rental office where you can personally be given a reciept

 

[AlmostThere]

Just a quick question about payment forms until you can move out. Ask if your landlord will take a bank check, if so , you may be able to get your bank to mail the check directly to the landlord.

 

[not2cleverRed]

Just a quick question about payment forms until you can move out. Ask if your landlord will take a bank check, if so , you may be able to get your bank to mail the check directly to the landlord.

I assume that you mean certified check.

Cashier's check should also be an option.

 

[Veryconfusedaboutwhattodo]

Thank you for all of your wonderful responses. I was not late on rent. She had amassed late fees. She told me that once she determined, with the Regional Manager, if they would waive the fees she would get back to me. I told her I would be out of town for the next week. She said I could pay through the resident portal. I tried and was locked out. Next to my debit cards (2 separate ones), a message read "unavailable for use." I asked her to unlock and she would not. I got money orders and came into her office on October 31, 2024 to be told I missed the deadline ( which she imposed four days before to pay the late fees. Since then, she has absorbed all the late fees as paid by my previous rent payments. Now she has a list of other expenses such as the monthly $50 rent fee which is part of the rent, not something I pay for separately. She has them listed for each month for the past year. She also has all the water bills which are also part of the rent payment, apportioned out as what I "owe." She has renamed what I owe. However, I tried to pay and she would not take the money orders when she saw that I noted "Late Fees" under the For: section. I deposited them into my checking account and got copies from my back to demonstrate what they were for. The bottom line is she played dirty pool. I contacted a tenant attorney who said that although the landlord is always right, this situation is not the case at all. She gave me conflicting information, in writing, and would not take my payment, in money orders which is cash! He also said landlords know not to do this. She is the property manager, not the owner of the property.

 

[quincy]

Thank you for all of your wonderful responses. I was not late on rent. She had amassed late fees. She told me that once she determined, with the Regional Manager, if they would waive the fees she would get back to me. I told her I would be out of town for the next week. She said I could pay through the resident portal. I tried and was locked out. Next to my debit cards (2 separate ones), a message read "unavailable for use." I asked her to unlock and she would not. I got money orders and came into her office on October 31, 2024 to be told I missed the deadline ( which she imposed four days before to pay the late fees. Since then, she has absorbed all the late fees as paid by my previous rent payments. Now she has a list of other expenses such as the monthly $50 rent fee which is part of the rent, not something I pay for separately. She has them listed for each month for the past year. She also has all the water bills which are also part of the rent payment, apportioned out as what I "owe." She has renamed what I owe. However, I tried to pay and she would not take the money orders when she saw that I noted "Late Fees" under the For: section. I deposited them into my checking account and got copies from my back to demonstrate what they were for. The bottom line is she played dirty pool. I contacted a tenant attorney who said that although the landlord is always right, this situation is not the case at all. She gave me conflicting information, in writing, and would not take my payment, in money orders which is cash! He also said landlords know not to do this. She is the property manager, not the owner of the property.

What did the “tenant attorney” you contacted advise that you do?

 

[Zigner]

ACH from the OP's bank could be another option.

I question the OP's assertion, however, that Moneygram was not available while s/he was traveling. Moneygram services are available online.

 

[quincy]

ACH from the OP's bank could be another option.

I question the OP's assertion, however, that Moneygram was not available while s/he was traveling. Moneygram services are available online.

It sounds like veryconfusedaboutwhattodo needs to find a new place to live, regardless of what happens with the current rental. S/he should make sure any new rental offers an automatic electronic withdrawal option to avoid the problems being encountered here.

 

[Veryconfusedaboutwhattodo]

I thought a Moneygram could be paid online. They only permit MoneyGrams from a Kiosk.

My attorney, who is a tenant-landlord attorney said she blocked every way for me to pay. My debit cards are on file for an automatic electronic withdrawal and she refused to unlock the portal to accept the payment after she told me that I could pay through the portal. I came to the office with the money orders and she refused them.

 

[Zigner]

In my state (which is not your state), accepting payments after initiating an eviction based on non-payment of rent resets things and causes the landlord to have to start over. Perhaps that is why you were prevented from making payments.

 

[AlmostThere]

What does your lease say about form of payment?

 

[quincy]

I thought a Moneygram could be paid online. They only permit MoneyGrams from a Kiosk.

My attorney, who is a tenant-landlord attorney said she blocked every way for me to pay. My debit cards are on file for an automatic electronic withdrawal and she refused to unlock the portal to accept the payment after she told me that I could pay through the portal. I came to the office with the money orders and she refused them.

Following is a link to the laws in Maryland on a tenant’s failure to pay rent. Read “Tenant’s Right to Stay on Property by Paying Amounts Owed.”

https://www.peoples-law.org/failure-pay-rent

You can pay past due amounts with cash, a certified check or with a money order.