Landlord harassing me

[pirategirl68]

What is the name of your state? Ca
Hi. Yes, I know it's time to move, but in the meantime how do I deal with the constant harassment? I have been here for 7 years. It's easier for me to pay my rent on the 15th, so I asked if I could prorate until the 15th and was told no, he would just rather me pay late and include the late fee. Then he said he wanted me to just deposit the money into his checking account. Which I did. After a while, he has a "management company" take over and I have to start dealing with a supposed agent, who proceeds to take over the harassment. I applied for some covid assistance. I didn't have all of my receipts due to a crazy chick getting mad when I told her she had to go and she stole them when I wasn't looking. So I sent in what I had and asked if he could provide me with the correct amounts. He just went with what I had, but I can't get him to give me proof of a lot of the payments I made. I know he was paid double from the assistance. Back to the current problems, 1. He is threatening me with eviction if I don't pay them $7000 they claim I owe. If he would give me the correct receipt copies, it would no way be that much. So they said pay up by then or face eviction. 2. It says in my rental agreement that I have access to the laundry room, which they have taken from me for some b.s. reason. But the washing machine has not worked properly for a year. I have copies of texts I've sent him about it. Aren't I supposed to get a discount in rent for the inconvenience? Then to top it off, new tenants have moved in and my friend and I overheard them telling the new people my business, saying i owe thousands in rent and that I'm not allowed to use the laundry room and to tell them if I do, but tjhey put a lock on the door that requires a code. I could go on and on, but I need to do something before I have a nervous breakdown while I'm trying to find another place. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Just Blue]

What is the name of your state? Ca
Hi. Yes, I know it's time to move, but in the meantime how do I deal with the constant harassment? I have been here for 7 years. It's easier for me to pay my rent on the 15th, so I asked if I could prorate until the 15th and was told no, he would just rather me pay late and include the late fee. Then he said he wanted me to just deposit the money into his checking account. Which I did. After a while, he has a "management company" take over and I have to start dealing with a supposed agent, who proceeds to take over the harassment. I applied for some covid assistance. I didn't have all of my receipts due to a crazy chick getting mad when I told her she had to go and she stole them when I wasn't looking. So I sent in what I had and asked if he could provide me with the correct amounts. He just went with what I had, but I can't get him to give me proof of a lot of the payments I made. I know he was paid double from the assistance. Back to the current problems, 1. He is threatening me with eviction if I don't pay them $7000 they claim I owe. If he would give me the correct receipt copies, it would no way be that much. So they said pay up by then or face eviction. 2. It says in my rental agreement that I have access to the laundry room, which they have taken from me for some b.s. reason. But the washing machine has not worked properly for a year. I have copies of texts I've sent him about it. Aren't I supposed to get a discount in rent for the inconvenience? Then to top it off, new tenants have moved in and my friend and I overheard them telling the new people my business, saying i owe thousands in rent and that I'm not allowed to use the laundry room and to tell them if I do, but tjhey put a lock on the door that requires a code. I could go on and on, but I need to do something before I have a nervous breakdown while I'm trying to find another place. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Nothing in your posting is harassment...at least not in the legal sense.

 

[adjusterjack]

It's easier for me to pay my rent on the 15th, so I asked if I could prorate until the 15th and was told no

That's not harassment.

he would just rather me pay late and include the late fee.

That's not harassment.

I didn't have all of my receipts due to a crazy chick getting mad when I told her she had to go and she stole them when I wasn't looking.

Your choice of women is not the landlord's fault.

I can't get him to give me proof of a lot of the payments I made.

Not his job to keep and provide records for you. If he files for eviction you'll have an opportunity to raise a defense in court.

He is threatening me with eviction if I don't pay them $7000 they claim I owe.

Also not harassment. Eviction is legal for non-pay.

It says in my rental agreement that I have access to the laundry room, which they have taken from me for some b.s. reason.

How do we know if the reason is b.s. if you don't specify the reason given?

But the washing machine has not worked properly for a year.

What do you mean "properly"? What does it do or not do?

Aren't I supposed to get a discount in rent for the inconvenience?

I don't think so but you are welcome to peruse the CA landlord-tenant statutes:

Codes Display Text (ca.gov)

Then to top it off, new tenants have moved in and my friend and I overheard them telling the new people my business, saying i owe thousands in rent and that I'm not allowed to use the laundry room and to tell them if I do, but they put a lock on the door that requires a code.

Scummy, but not illegal.

I need to do something before I have a nervous breakdown while I'm trying to find another place.

"There is no try, there is do or not do." - Yoda.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Short of consulting an attorney, and possibly paying fees, see if there is a tenants' rights organization in your area and discuss all of the above with them.

So far, unfortunately, I don't see anything that would give you any legal recourse. Best option is to leave at the end of your lease. Make sure you give whatever notice is required by the lease.

 

[TigerD]

Options are simple:
1. Pay what you owe and start paying on time and in full.
2. Pay what you owe and move after giving proper notice.
3. Move and make arrangements to pay what you owe.
4. Move and wait and see if he sues you.
5. Do nothing and wait for the impending eviction.

1, 2, and 3 are the adult responsible ways to handle it. But, that wasn't what you wanted was it?

 

[zddoodah]

After a while, he has a "management company" take over and I have to start dealing with a supposed agent, who proceeds to take over the harassment.

Why do you have "management company" in quotation marks? Why have you referred to the agent as "a supposed agent"? To what "harassment" are you referring?

I applied for some covid assistance. I didn't have all of my receipts due to a crazy chick getting mad when I told her she had to go and she stole them when I wasn't looking. So I sent in what I had and asked if he could provide me with the correct amounts. He just went with what I had, but I can't get him to give me proof of a lot of the payments I made. I know he was paid double from the assistance.

None of this makes any sense.

He is threatening me with eviction if I don't pay them $7000 they claim I owe.

I assume "he" is the agent, but who are "them"? What is the $7,000 for?

It says in my rental agreement that I have access to the laundry room

What exactly does it say. Quote it word-for-word.

Aren't I supposed to get a discount in rent for the inconvenience?

Depends on what your rental agreement says (but I doubt it).

As far as I can tell, you have two issues: (1) the landlord is claiming you owe $7k for something; and (2) you don't have access to laundry facilities - possibly in violation of your rental agreement. Without any detail about the former, and without the applicable lease language, there isn't anything intelligent that anyone here can say about those things. I agree with the others that nothing in your post constitutes "harassment" in any legal sense.

 

[Eekamouse]

How is the landlord wanting his money harassing you? He wouldn't be "harassing" you if you were current on your rent. Is he just supposed to carry you until you feel like paying? He has bills to pay, too, doesn't he? Well, you not paying your rent makes it hard for him to pay his bills.
If you think the $7000 is wrong, that you don't owe that much, have you factored in all the late fees and lawyer fees you've accrued in all the time you haven't been paying? Probably not. That's why your bill is so big.

 

[pirategirl68]

Thanks for all of your replies. Let me sort this out for you a little better, if you don't mind? When I first moved in here, we signed the month to month agreement and then he took it to make copies. It took me 2 years of writing a request for my own copies. When I finally was given my copies, it said the rent was $50 less a month than I had been paying and it also said he paid for the trash, which I had been paying for the 2 years. Never once did he say anything about either issue. At some point he hires this gal to manage the units. All she said was her name and wouldn't give me any other information. Why? What was the big deal? At one point, the old washing machine broke down, so after telling them about it, and them not doing anything about it, I put my machine in the laundry room. One day she comes over and tells me to get all of my stuff out of the common areas or shes going to throw everything away. It was lawn tools, etc., because I was the one keeping the yard done. She said put it in my unit, so I got a storage and put anything I wanted to keep in there, including my washing machine, and that was that. They finally get another set of machines and the washer is always not working properly. It would fill up, then when it came to the final rimse and spin, it wouldn't. I kept telling them about it, they would send their repair guy to fix it, but he didn't, so i didn't want to ruin the machines, so I didn't use. The people up front kept using them and throwing their dripping wet clothes in the dryer, which was causing all sorts of lint to accumulate. Which me and my friend would go clean out because of the chance of fire. In the meantime, I bought a 1 load washer and went to the laundromat. then she said I clogged the tankless water heater, which is not true, I wasn't using the machine and that's a one way input, not possible. As for the money records, why wouldn't he want to help? If all is good on his end then why not produce those items? I disagree with his amounts and I know I don't owe him that much. If he wants me out, why not just tell me? And I think it's totally unprofessional to discuss my business with the new tenants that just moved in and then have them be watch outs? When I asked her why I couldn't use the laundry facilities she said due to inappropriate usage of the room and appliances. When I asked her what she was talking about, since I haven't used the room or appliances, she didn't answer me. So that's the b.s. I'm talking about.

 

[pirategirl68]

Also, I'm not saying I don't owe him. I don't owe him near as much as he claims. What? Is there something wrong with me asking him to show me? I pay my debts, but like i said. If all is good on his part, than what's wrong with him showing me? They are the ones that have been out of line. I always asked first, and did what was requested, if any. I have respect for my self and others and they would be doing the same thing if the shoe were on the other foot.

 

[AlmostThere]

1) Ask for an accounting of the $7000. If he can't provide it, then he is just blowing wind.
2) Start looking for someplace else to live - regardless of the outcome of number 1. Your landlord does not like you. He is not obligated to like you. It is completely legal to dislike you. It is also legal for you to not like him. Expect to be asked to move out when your lease ends.
3) Find a way to better mange your money so that you don't need a 15 day grace period to pay your rent.

 

[Zigner]

Also, I'm not saying I don't owe him. I don't owe him near as much as he claims.

Pay what you believe you owe and ask for backup for the remainder.
Of course, if they are trying to evict you, they won't accept anything (if they're smart).

 

[STEPHAN]

When I first moved in here, we signed the month to month agreement and then he took it to make copies. It took me 2 years of writing a request for my own copies.

Lesson for the future: Never sign anything that you do not have a copy of. Very easy these days with smartphones.

 

[Briella]

In California, addressing landlord harassment requires a systematic approach. Start by meticulously documenting every instance of harassment, noting down dates and specific details. Equipping yourself with knowledge about your tenant rights under California law is crucial. Organizations dedicated to tenant rights or legal aid services can provide invaluable guidance in such situations. For more detailed information, check out this helpful resource on dealing with landlord harassment: How to Deal with Landlord Harassment. Additionally, filing a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing is an option, and if needed, pursuing legal action can be considered. Maintain written communication with your landlord, and it's advisable to seek legal advice before entering into any agreements or making payments.

 

[quincy]

In California, you can address the landlord harassment by taking several steps. First, document all instances of harassment with dates and details. Next, familiarize yourself with your rights as a tenant under California law. Consider reaching out to a tenant rights organization or legal aid for guidance. You may also file a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing or pursue legal action if necessary. Keep communication with your landlord in writing and seek legal advice before making any payments or agreements.

Briella, this thread is from December 2023. Reviving old threads is frowned upon on this forum. Pirategirl68 has not been seen on the forum since last year so she is unlikely to be helped by any information provided her now.