J
jsnell
Guest
Before I decided upon renting the house where I currently reside in Northern VA, I asked the Real Estate Comp that was representing if there was any doubt as to who property rights belonged to (divorce situation). I was assured by the Real Estate Rep that the wife living in the house had full property rights (i.e. a personal property agreement was signed as part of the divorce). I emphasized that my only reservations about renting the house would be if I had to deal with 2 people fighting over property rights and property use during my period of rental. Real Estate Rep once more assured me that the wife living in the house had full property rights.
I signed the lease and planned on moving in Feb 10, 2001.
I arrived with family and friends late afternoon of Feb 10 to find that electricity to the premises had been turned off--my in-laws arrived an hour earlier than I and discovered this, calling the electric company about restoring power. Power was not restored for another 2 hours after I arrived. I called the Broker (Real Estate Rep I normally dealt with was not available) and explained that I was displeased with this situation and also with the fact that the wife's husband's pick-up truck (with a dead transmission) was still broken down in the front driveway, not to mention that there was a hauling trailer full of trash in the back yard. In my discussion with the broker I discovered that the wife's husband had denied entry to the Real Estate Rep the evening before and told her she was trespassing (her intent was to conduct final walk-through). Husband changed the locks and said that he intended to live in the house. Broker counselled Real Estate Rep to not notify me of the situation, as he would smooth things over with the husband.
I went on to ask about the validity of the contract, with Broker stating that he didn't even have a contract until late the previous evening. Many promises were made by the broker that evening, i.e. he would pay for adequate steam cleaning of the carpets (didn't happen), he would deduct reasonable percentage from first month's rent (didn't happen), he would renegotiate contract for month-month (didn't happen), he would have remainder of personal possessions moved out of the housed (didn't happen), he would have valid contract with both husband and wife on contract for my purview following weekend (didn't happen). The latest information I received today after once more complaining to Real Estate Rep was that a separate contract was made between only the husband and the Real Estate Comp, and that I was not privy to the information contained therein. By the way, I have proof that the landlords were on my property at least 3 times without prior notification.
Not sure where I stand here, but would like to know if my landlord(?s) are operating on a valid lease or not. My inclination is to get out of this lease at first opportunity when other adequate housing in the area becomes available. Adequate housing that meets my family needs is very difficult to find in this rural Northern VA area.
I signed the lease and planned on moving in Feb 10, 2001.
I arrived with family and friends late afternoon of Feb 10 to find that electricity to the premises had been turned off--my in-laws arrived an hour earlier than I and discovered this, calling the electric company about restoring power. Power was not restored for another 2 hours after I arrived. I called the Broker (Real Estate Rep I normally dealt with was not available) and explained that I was displeased with this situation and also with the fact that the wife's husband's pick-up truck (with a dead transmission) was still broken down in the front driveway, not to mention that there was a hauling trailer full of trash in the back yard. In my discussion with the broker I discovered that the wife's husband had denied entry to the Real Estate Rep the evening before and told her she was trespassing (her intent was to conduct final walk-through). Husband changed the locks and said that he intended to live in the house. Broker counselled Real Estate Rep to not notify me of the situation, as he would smooth things over with the husband.
I went on to ask about the validity of the contract, with Broker stating that he didn't even have a contract until late the previous evening. Many promises were made by the broker that evening, i.e. he would pay for adequate steam cleaning of the carpets (didn't happen), he would deduct reasonable percentage from first month's rent (didn't happen), he would renegotiate contract for month-month (didn't happen), he would have remainder of personal possessions moved out of the housed (didn't happen), he would have valid contract with both husband and wife on contract for my purview following weekend (didn't happen). The latest information I received today after once more complaining to Real Estate Rep was that a separate contract was made between only the husband and the Real Estate Comp, and that I was not privy to the information contained therein. By the way, I have proof that the landlords were on my property at least 3 times without prior notification.
Not sure where I stand here, but would like to know if my landlord(?s) are operating on a valid lease or not. My inclination is to get out of this lease at first opportunity when other adequate housing in the area becomes available. Adequate housing that meets my family needs is very difficult to find in this rural Northern VA area.