What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA
My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: CA
Can some knowledgeable person advise me - in the court of law in CA, am I considered the VICTIM and be given justice or considered a perpetrator liable for damages.I would appreciate a frank opinion.
The arrangement :
I moved to a larger suburb in East Bay area, which was closer to my work place. Being single and switching from full time to contract work , I decided not to get stuck up behind a lease and do something temp. on a month to month basis. I saw this ad for a roomie and met the 22 yr fellow. He seemed to talk fine and trusting my instincts , I gave him advance money which was supposed to part of deposit
The surprises :
* When I moved in things , the grapes became all too sour.He and his GF are staying togather in that place. He comes back within 15 days and tells me , the $250 I paid him is to 'hold' the room and not part of deposit ( his to keep ) , even through the understanding was different.
Then I had to work from home for a month or so , because my office was being renovated. They suddenly claimed that the power bill jacked up and I had to pay a higher % of the bill. I am not sure what was the exact bill for the same month last year and whether they had the same # of people in that house...things like this pissed me off. I insisted on having a copy of the bill and of course I have the check made out in the name of his GF. That was not supposed to happen but , they make their own rules in Rome and this small suburb home in East Bay. But I Notated on the check that this bill on behalf of the Joe whom I initially signed up with .
It looks like his GF was not liking my presence at all. She was out there to pounce of me for the smallest reason. Her demeanor showed total contempt for me ( what caused it , I am not really sure ...but it looks like my being a fan of the show 'snapped' on oxygen could be part of it ) . The climax of this situation reached when , when her pet dog ( she got him AFTER I moved in WITHOUT asking me or any other room-mates ) , defecated on my room carpet. I was getting late and cleant it off . It happened twice and now it happened in the rest room . I took snaps of the fecal matter in the rest room ( she is not aware of this ) and left her a note . No caustic words. Just a simple note - "this is what I found. Thank You "
The same day in the evening I got a 30 day termination notice
Ever since then I have been hearing all sort of slants on me " that room is getting ready in a months time. There is a room-mate there but he dirty and made a mess of that room and we are kicking him out " ..all this is said loudly.
(To the contrary I took some pictures from the kitchen with their dishes lying outside and the table unwept. )
Another slant they keep barking outside my room is "we are going to make him pay for the carpet and also the sofa , and everything " .
I was inside my room 99% times and never even used the living room .
So we have :
<> Their constant accusations that I am dirty and I trashed that room .
Whereas I took pictures when I entered the room and will take pics after I leave it . There are some signs of usage . What you will find in any occupied room. My room may look a bit disorganized with some clothes , lot of books , and electronic gadgets hanging around , with tool-kits etc but there is NO FOOD or some kind of junk in that room and NOT one bug in there .
I took pics of the room in "normal' condition too.
<> They kept the holding deposit with them for good. That was to be adjusted off in future .
<> Made me pay a higher % of the bill when there is no such clause in the rental agreement .I notated that in the deposit receipt that I paid him the extra amount.
So much said ...
<> Can they put just about ANY kind of allegation on me and take me to the cleaners ?
<> If they have room-mates on their side , who could poss talk against me and I have actual pics , which has better standing ?
<> More than everything , it is the taunts of his GF I have to hear , that have really upset me very badly mentally and affected my work.
Since last 1 month I stopped cooking in that place and I come there as late as 11 pm when everyone is asleep because , I find the home. env. extremely hostile
What are my options to make them pay for the suffering they caused me ?
My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: CA
Can some knowledgeable person advise me - in the court of law in CA, am I considered the VICTIM and be given justice or considered a perpetrator liable for damages.I would appreciate a frank opinion.
The arrangement :
I moved to a larger suburb in East Bay area, which was closer to my work place. Being single and switching from full time to contract work , I decided not to get stuck up behind a lease and do something temp. on a month to month basis. I saw this ad for a roomie and met the 22 yr fellow. He seemed to talk fine and trusting my instincts , I gave him advance money which was supposed to part of deposit
The surprises :
* When I moved in things , the grapes became all too sour.He and his GF are staying togather in that place. He comes back within 15 days and tells me , the $250 I paid him is to 'hold' the room and not part of deposit ( his to keep ) , even through the understanding was different.
Then I had to work from home for a month or so , because my office was being renovated. They suddenly claimed that the power bill jacked up and I had to pay a higher % of the bill. I am not sure what was the exact bill for the same month last year and whether they had the same # of people in that house...things like this pissed me off. I insisted on having a copy of the bill and of course I have the check made out in the name of his GF. That was not supposed to happen but , they make their own rules in Rome and this small suburb home in East Bay. But I Notated on the check that this bill on behalf of the Joe whom I initially signed up with .
It looks like his GF was not liking my presence at all. She was out there to pounce of me for the smallest reason. Her demeanor showed total contempt for me ( what caused it , I am not really sure ...but it looks like my being a fan of the show 'snapped' on oxygen could be part of it ) . The climax of this situation reached when , when her pet dog ( she got him AFTER I moved in WITHOUT asking me or any other room-mates ) , defecated on my room carpet. I was getting late and cleant it off . It happened twice and now it happened in the rest room . I took snaps of the fecal matter in the rest room ( she is not aware of this ) and left her a note . No caustic words. Just a simple note - "this is what I found. Thank You "
The same day in the evening I got a 30 day termination notice
Ever since then I have been hearing all sort of slants on me " that room is getting ready in a months time. There is a room-mate there but he dirty and made a mess of that room and we are kicking him out " ..all this is said loudly.
(To the contrary I took some pictures from the kitchen with their dishes lying outside and the table unwept. )
Another slant they keep barking outside my room is "we are going to make him pay for the carpet and also the sofa , and everything " .
I was inside my room 99% times and never even used the living room .
So we have :
<> Their constant accusations that I am dirty and I trashed that room .
Whereas I took pictures when I entered the room and will take pics after I leave it . There are some signs of usage . What you will find in any occupied room. My room may look a bit disorganized with some clothes , lot of books , and electronic gadgets hanging around , with tool-kits etc but there is NO FOOD or some kind of junk in that room and NOT one bug in there .
I took pics of the room in "normal' condition too.
<> They kept the holding deposit with them for good. That was to be adjusted off in future .
<> Made me pay a higher % of the bill when there is no such clause in the rental agreement .I notated that in the deposit receipt that I paid him the extra amount.
So much said ...
<> Can they put just about ANY kind of allegation on me and take me to the cleaners ?
<> If they have room-mates on their side , who could poss talk against me and I have actual pics , which has better standing ?
<> More than everything , it is the taunts of his GF I have to hear , that have really upset me very badly mentally and affected my work.
Since last 1 month I stopped cooking in that place and I come there as late as 11 pm when everyone is asleep because , I find the home. env. extremely hostile
What are my options to make them pay for the suffering they caused me ?