LogFAQs > #942854583

I was already worn out before all of this, just ended up going to sleep last night...

wolfy42 posted...

There are usually free tenant advocacy agencies (Depends on the state I'm sure) but I'm not sure how things are affected right now. They can NOT change the terms of the lease mid lease, even if they put it in the lease, or else the lease would not mean anything at all, for you.

Again this may vary by state but I would find it amazing if a state allowed landlords to change the terms of a lease in the middle of a contract.

Also they CAN NOT just randomly charge you for things that were not in the lease you original signed, including charging you for changes or having things installed, they can try and bully you, but that is it. They can't affect your credit rating etc, or say you owe them money, and I HOPE they try and withhold your security deposit so you can sue them and get multiple times it back instead.

It's been awhile since I worked in landlord tenant law (like 15 years now), and like I said it varies from state to state, but you should at least be able to talk to a lawyer over the phone (if you can't find an advocacy agency in your area) for free, and get their advice and if you should sue. Many will also represent you just for the chance to get attorneys fees (if you have a very strong case), which won't cost you anything in the long run either.

I like your experience w/ tenant law, it sounds lovely.
This is the 3rd place I've rented. 2nd were awesome and if I hadn't had to move to a new state to this 3rd one, I would've stayed there. The first place I ever rented...?
Dude was basically a slum lord. Wouldn't give back my security deposit or even answer my calls. I eventually went to a lawyer and she made a 5 min. call to him. He agreed to fork it over, only after that. Made me sign a form that I wouldn't seek anything else beyond the security deposit. After all of that, the lawyer gave me a bill for $400. I had thought since she barely did anything, it would be free or not much (and she never mentioned before then). So just to get my deposit back, I ended up losing almost half of it to the lawyer.

Rasmoh posted...

Get together with other tenants and refuse to sign en masse, for starters. Then contact an attorney near you to discuss injunctive relief. This sort of thing is something that you should be able to find an attorney who will work on contingency for.

I don't really talk to the other tenants, and the apartment's pushed hard for people to come in and sign, so it's probably too late if signing the form nulls legal action (and if it doesn't...I should probably just sign too?).

SunWuKung420 posted...

Move out.

Wasn't exactly prepared to do that or planning to. Obviously I'm gonna have to now, but I'd still rather not on short notice...
To answer another question from someone else... my wife and I are alone out here. Have some friends from work, but all my family and long time friends are back home...moved out here for the job. Getting a hotel or something is really not feasible, at all.

LinkPizza posted...

I dont understand how they would force you to pay for it. Its an upgrade they are doing... Thats not in you, nor should it be. I wouldnt do sign it before consulting a lawyer. And I wouldnt pay when leaving. They can use the security deposit for that...

I'm sure that's how they'll make me pay for it, yes. I've already been anxious about moving out from here some day. Been here so long that they say they'll be required to replace the carpet anyway and I won't need to have a professional cleaning done like is usually required (or taken out of your deposit if not done). But I've asked for that in writing multiple times and never gotten it. It's felt for a while now like they're gonna raid the security deposit when I leave....