Hello solo stove community. I recently found a Solostove bonfire on clearance for $59.00 at a local Marshalls. I wanted to buy it but the box was huge and I wasn't able to carry it home.
Something in the back of my mind is wanting to go back for it. Are there any drawbacks from owning and using something like this in a small backyard? I'd love some feedback!
I am currently renting a room from a live-in landlord in Jersey City, New Jersey. I knew I sensed something was off but I chose to ignore it due to my desperation of finding a new room to rent after my previous lease. When I first saw the property and room, I had my reservations. But the place looked clean and acceptable. There was another vacant and furnished room. We made a deal for $1000/mo. I moved in that day.
Problems/Red flags with the landlord include:
-He used Chat GPT to generate a lease on the spot and we both signed under the conditions of the room being rented month-to-month, x1 month security deposit, utilities included, and 2-weeks notice if I wanted to terminate the lease. We both dated and signed. We each have a signed copy of the lease.
-His mother (I'm assuming she's the owner of the house) "got mad" and told him he needed to charge me x1.5 month in security deposit AFTER we agreed and signed the lease. His reasoning is that the use of the kitchen, refrigerator, flatware/silverware and the furnishing in the room I've rented is justification to get me to sign a "legit" amended lease. I'm not sure I want to sign this new lease he's bringing in today.
-He never mentioned that he would be living in the living room until I showed up in-person to sign the lease. I got past it but it was sketchy that was never mentioned in the original ad I was able to contact him through.
-He kept emphasizing about "how quiet and nice" the place would be and then proceeded to blast music at an ear-shattering noise level. I politely asked him if he could turn down the music because I wasn't able to concentrate and work (I WFH), and he got upset about it being daytime and how I can't tell him how to act in his own house. I responded by saying that it was reasonable for me to ask politely and that the noise level was just off the charts. I couldn't even hear myself speak inside my own room. He responded by saying, "I'll give you your money back. There are plenty of other people wanting to rent the room" and guilt-trip me by saying he likes to wind down. He didn't apologized but mentioned "I was going through some shit today".
-He constantly tells me that he's going to do this or going to do that, and never follows through.
-He asked if he could use my Venmo and Apple Pay to accept rent money from another tenant.
I'm pretty tolerant of loud music and conditions of the house. I'm easy-going by nature, but I can't help but feel anxious. He openly admitted to me that he's new to being a landlord/property manager. He's 47 years old and acts like he's 20. While the volume of the music he plays got better and he continues to act like a pleasant guy, I really can't shake off this feeling of uneasiness. In the original lease, it mentioned and he agreed that he would return the security deposit immediately upon me vacating the room. Something tells me he's going to cite NJ law and refuse to honor the agreement of the deposit. I don't want to give him another $500 dollars because of that. I feel anxious and a part of me just wants to sign the new amended lease to mitigate any awkwardness and feelings of animosity in the house.
I've already decided that I should give him the 2-weeks notice and look for a new place after this month is up.
I want to stand my ground and refuse to sign the new lease. Is there any advice of what I should and should not do in this situation? Anything I should avoid? I don't think the landlord is capable of compromise and is terrible at being a considerate roommate, let alone my landlord.
I'm a 33 year old korean guy. I took up the chud lifestyle because I drown myself in work. so it's pretty much an excuse I use to skip out on going out with friends. I used to go out to clubs, edm fests and go hiking all the time. But now, all I do is save money and work. Feelsoldman.
Looking non-crazy people 18+ for a light-hearted and casual chat/text. Let's chat about absolutely anything!