Landlord harassing me over spiritual things

[swonderdoc]

I am in North Carolina. I previously posted the In and Out of Lease Post. I need to move to another state, but I signed a lease that I need to get out of that doesn't take effect yet. I sat down with my landlord at length to ask him if he could find a new tenant and that I would pay all rent, ad fees, and cooperate with showings until a new one is found. I told him I would be willing to forfeit my security deposit. I have everything documented in writing. He basically doesn't want to work with me or release me because he is turning it into a spiritual issue. He says God told him I was to stay here and he calls me all the time on the phone and harasses me about going to his church. Then he makes childish statements such as "I hope you don't trash my house now". I have kept the house in immaculate condition which is why I don't think he really wants me to leave. Where is the line drawn when a landlord begins harassing you over spiritual stuff and is it his responsibility to find a new tenant or can he make us do that?

 

[BL]

He doesn't have to let you out of your lease unless your lease states you can sublet on his approval or such .

You can sent him a Return Receipt Requested Certified letter informing him , He is only to contact you about the business of Landlord/Tenant issues . If He continues to call about " spiritual things " , file harassment .

Unless his conduct is so out of hand , that it would force you to move , you have no other recourse .

 

[Hot Topic]

Keep a record (if you aren't already) of every time he approaches you on the subject of religion and your response. Save any brochures that he puts under your door, and make a note about the date and time you discovered them. If he brings up God wanting you to stay, tell him in a firm voice that God has said nothing to you, and that you consider the subject of religion closed. Then send him a letter via certified mail in confirmation. It already sounds as if he's a little unstable, so I think you'll want as much documented as possible.

 

[justalayman]

You sound as you are going to leave anyway so it isn;t really a matter of him releasing you, you are apparently going to break the lease. You would be responsible for the items you mentioned but the LL is required to attempt to re rent the apartment. If he fails to do so, this would give you an defense when it comes to the court case that would ensue.

You state that your lease does not take effect yet but you are wrong in this point. The lease took effect as soon as you signed it. The period of residency may not have started yet but it is still a valid lease which you are bound by until its expiration.

regarding the spiritual harrassment. He is not restricted from proselytizing anymore than any other person is. If it would be considered harrassment if another were to do this, then it is so for the LL and inversely, if it isn't, it isn't.

 

[john123456]

Keep a record (if you aren't already) of every time he approaches you on the subject of religion and your response. Save any brochures that he puts under your door, and make a note about the date and time you discovered them. If he brings up God wanting you to stay, tell him in a firm voice that God has said nothing to you, and that you consider the subject of religion closed. Then send him a letter via certified mail in confirmation. It already sounds as if he's a little unstable, so I think you'll want as much documented as possible.

What in the world does this have to do with the poster's contractual obligations?

 

[Hot Topic]

The tenant may not be able to break her lease, but there's nothing in the law that prevents her from trying. It's not uncommon for negotiation with the landlord to be suggested on this forum, even if it turns out to be a waste of both parties' time.

The landlord wants her to stay because he claims God told him that she was to stay. That's considerably different than just giving her religious brochures or trying repeatedly to get her to attend his church. The guy sounds a little nuts, and it wouldn't hurt her to keep records in case things get out of hand.

 

[weenor]

The tenant may not be able to break her lease, but there's nothing in the law that prevents her from trying. It's not uncommon for negotiation with the landlord to be suggested on this forum, even if it turns out to be a waste of both parties' time.

The landlord wants her to stay because he claims God told him that she was to stay. That's considerably different than just giving her religious brochures or trying repeatedly to get her to attend his church. The guy sounds a little nuts, and it wouldn't hurt her to keep records in case things get out of hand.

The correct legal answer is that she can break the lease, but she will be responsible for payment under the lease terms until such time as the landlord is able to re-rent. Note that in most states, the landlord does not have to offer significant proof of his attempts to mitigate, so if the place is not re-rented OP could be liable for the rent for each month of the lease term.

 

[Hot Topic]

{Quote}I sat down with my landlord at length to ask him if he could find a new tenant and that I would pay all rent, ad fees, and cooperate with showings until a new one is found. I told him I would be willing to forfeit my security deposit. {Unquote}


The landlord doesn't have to agree to the above and let her out of the lease, but she's right in feeling "creeped out" that the reason is that God wants her there. If he said that she made a legal commitment and has to abide by it, that's one thing. The reason is another.

 

[john123456]

{Quote}I sat down with my landlord at length to ask him if he could find a new tenant and that I would pay all rent, ad fees, and cooperate with showings until a new one is found. I told him I would be willing to forfeit my security deposit. {Unquote}


The landlord doesn't have to agree to the above and let her out of the lease, but she's right in feeling "creeped out" that the reason is that God wants her there. If he said that she made a legal commitment and has to abide by it, that's one thing. The reason is another.

If he said that she made a legal commitment and has to abide by it, that's one thing. The reason is another.

I see, so according to your logic the poster is not legally bound because the LL referenced God in his conversations with the tenant?

Hot Topic, you give foolish, if not dangerous advice.

 

[Hot Topic]

I've already stated twice that the landlord doesn't have to let her out of her lease. Normal landlords, however, don't tell tenants that the reason is that they believe God wants the tenant to stay. And I stand by my advice that she keep a record in case she ever has to get a restraining order against the nut.

Everyone else seems to get that but you, John, and I'm wondering why.

 

[john123456]

I've already stated twice that the landlord doesn't have to let her out of her lease. Normal landlords, however, don't tell tenants that the reason is that they believe God wants the tenant to stay. And I stand by my advice that she keep a record in case she ever has to get a restraining order against the nut.

Everyone else seems to get that but you, John, and I'm wondering why.

If he said that she made a legal commitment and has to abide by it, that's one thing. The reason is another.

I've already stated twice that the landlord doesn't have to let her out of her lease. Normal landlords, however, don't tell tenants that the reason is that they believe God wants the tenant to stay

Who cares what "normal" LL's do? Why do you feel the incessant need to babble?

 

[Hot Topic]

Oh, probably because you keep trying to provoke a fight, troll.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

I suggest you BOTH put an end to it NOW!

 

[Hot Topic]

You're right, Breeze. The moment I suspected he was a troll, I should have stopped posting.

Over and out.