Landlord From Hell! Help!

[jks1955]

What is the name of your state? FL

I rent one side of a duplex. My rent is paid in full until the end of January 2005. I will try to make this short and sweet. The landlord shows up on 1/28/05 telling me he knows I'm without a job and asks if I'm in trouble financially. I say no. He says he does not like the condition of the inside of the apartment, i.e., dishes in the sink, cigarette butts in ashtrays, etc. We go back and forth and he says he wants me out. I said ok I will be out by end of February.

The next day I leave and come back and there is a neighbor inside my apartment vacuuming and bagging my stuff up. There is a hand written note outside the front door stating NOTICE OF NON-COMPLIANCE from landlord stating the neighbor is in there painting, fixing fixtures, etc. none of which are in non-compliance. I wait outside in total shock until the man is finished and leaves.

The next day I go to work, come back and the landlord and neighbor are there again. I ask him to clear the driveway because I am moving a desk in and need the space. He gets in his vehicle, rolls down the window and says "I was inside fixing the plumbing". There is nothing wrong with the plumbing.

The landlord gave me no prior notification of his either inspecting the apartment or being inside when I am not there.

Is it legal for him to come in anytime and to touch my belongings?

 

[Who's Liable?]

Uh.. no... he's violating several laws first being breaking and entering... Write him a CRRR letter stating he cannot enter your apartment withough prior notice, no less the n 24 hrs, and the next time he's in there, you will call the police and report breaking and entering... Let the police handle it from there...

Even if there were "plumbing problems", he still has to give you notice... Also tell the neighbor you will call the police if he's in there as well...

 

[john123456]

What is the name of your state? FL

I rent one side of a duplex. My rent is paid in full until the end of January 2005. I will try to make this short and sweet. The landlord shows up on 1/28/05 telling me he knows I'm without a job and asks if I'm in trouble financially. I say no. He says he does not like the condition of the inside of the apartment, i.e., dishes in the sink, cigarette butts in ashtrays, etc. We go back and forth and he says he wants me out. I said ok I will be out by end of February.

The next day I leave and come back and there is a neighbor inside my apartment vacuuming and bagging my stuff up. There is a hand written note outside the front door stating NOTICE OF NON-COMPLIANCE from landlord stating the neighbor is in there painting, fixing fixtures, etc. none of which are in non-compliance. I wait outside in total shock until the man is finished and leaves.

The next day I go to work, come back and the landlord and neighbor are there again. I ask him to clear the driveway because I am moving a desk in and need the space. He gets in his vehicle, rolls down the window and says "I was inside fixing the plumbing". There is nothing wrong with the plumbing.

The landlord gave me no prior notification of his either inspecting the apartment or being inside when I am not there.

Is it legal for him to come in anytime and to touch my belongings?

After you read the LL/Tenant law, post back with questions:
http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0083/PART02.HTM

 

[john123456]

prior notice, no less the n 24 hrs

It might serve you well to read the applicable law.

 

[Florid-aise]

What is the name of your state? FL

I rent one side of a duplex. My rent is paid in full until the end of January 2005. I will try to make this short and sweet. The landlord shows up on 1/28/05 telling me he knows I'm without a job and asks if I'm in trouble financially. I say no. He says he does not like the condition of the inside of the apartment, i.e., dishes in the sink, cigarette butts in ashtrays, etc. We go back and forth and he says he wants me out. I said ok I will be out by end of February.

The next day I leave and come back and there is a neighbor inside my apartment vacuuming and bagging my stuff up. There is a hand written note outside the front door stating NOTICE OF NON-COMPLIANCE from landlord stating the neighbor is in there painting, fixing fixtures, etc. none of which are in non-compliance. I wait outside in total shock until the man is finished and leaves.

The next day I go to work, come back and the landlord and neighbor are there again. I ask him to clear the driveway because I am moving a desk in and need the space. He gets in his vehicle, rolls down the window and says "I was inside fixing the plumbing". There is nothing wrong with the plumbing.

The landlord gave me no prior notification of his either inspecting the apartment or being inside when I am not there.

Is it legal for him to come in anytime and to touch my belongings?

Pay close attention.

Your LL is in the deepest, hotest water in the deepest end of the largest swimming pool.

He is out there completely by himself and there will be no rescue craft coming for him.

Your neighbor has himself the single largest headache ever imaginable.

Your LL has violated your "reasonable expectation of privacy"; and your "quiet enjoyment" and "quiet possession" of your leased premises. This is something a small claims court can address and sanction your LL for. Some sanctions may include the abatement of future rent for a period of time. The court can actually order your LL to offer you a place to live without paying rent for a number of months.

Now is the time to document these acts.

Recreate what you saw occur in the form of a letter. Send this letter by Certified Mail, Return Recipt Requested, to your LL. If you get the green card back, keep that card safe from everything, it is indispensable to your cause. Should you get the entire letter back instead of just the green card, under NO CIRCUMSTANCES open that letter. The court can open it in open court at a later date.

Each time something like this happens (and believe me, after your LL receives the first CRRR letter, he will begin doing things at an escalated rate), again recreate what you saw with your own eyes and place it in a letter and repeat the CRRR steps. As many episodes - equals - as many CRRR letters.

At daybreak Monday morning, be standing outside the closed courthouse awaiting the doors to be unlocked so that you may become the first person in the courthouse next week.

Find the clerk's desk where you can establish an escrow account and establish one in the name and issue of you and your LL upcoming dispute. Place immediately, the LL's rent money in this escrow account. This way you have separated yourself from the rent money (a show of good faith to the court), and yet, the rent paid is not in the LL's possession. This escrow will be dispersed based upon who the court decides is entitled to it. You are however, protected in the meantime as having paid your rent. Do not fail, even by one day, to pay the rent as it comes due, directly to this escrow account.

 

[jks1955]

Thank you all very much for your help. I will heed your advice! I am scared to death of the man, but I will do what you suggest!