Veryconfusedaboutwhattodo
New member
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.
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.
