r/TenantHelp

I’ve been living at this particular apartment complex for two years- the last couple of months have been kind of brain melting, and I unexpectedly have to move to a new city.
My lease ends on my contract on June 9. Due to unexpectedly having to move and just everything that was going on- I DID NOT GIVE NOTICE TO MY CURRENT COMPLEX. This is a super important detail that I feel could change the outcome of this situation. I went to ask my front office with the prorated rent for June would be- and they told me I have to keep my electricity on for two months. They did not strictly state that it was because I didn’t give notice- they said I had to keep it on “in case I came back”. I have to move to a different city and I feel really uncomfortable about leaving electricity running in an apartment under my name that I no longer live in or am legally liable for. Is this something I actually have to do?

so to summarize I have leased an apartment that under the features section on Zillow has “Cooling - Window Unit”. As someone who has only leased places with central air, this sounded like there would be window unit cooling as a part of the apartment. Now, it is not about the cost because I realize they are inexpensive, it is more about if they listed this incorrectly. They are adamant this is totally normally to have it listed like this on Zillow for a listing that all allows tenants to bring window AC units, but they are not provided and that makes sense to them. Any advice or thought? I am not asking for someone to say check the lease or for someone to say I should have brought this up soon, I realize that. I am specifically asking if this portion was listed incorrectly / misrepresented what was included. This is in MA

Last week or so, my apartment completely flooded due to the toilet overflowing. The handyman came to my apartment to assess and tried blaming me for “clogging the toilet “ and then also proceeded to mention that a flapper on the toilet needed to be replaced. The toilet constantly runs and makes that running water noise…my landlord left an HVAC to dry the floors out but is trying to blame a $7000 water bill on me, i texted him a video of what the toilet does. Im also trying to leave said apartment because anytime i leave home now, i shut the toilets water valve off because i dont trust another flood wont happen randomly…i initially paid 3xs the rent (4650) to move in, i paid 1st, security and last month rent! i already paid Mays rent and intend on being out of the apartment no later than May 30th but was wondering in terms of deposit would i get back security deposit and last month rent since technically i overpaid…?! or how does this work! also, how does it work that his toilet caused a flood? ive never flushed anything other than toilet pallets down the toilet!!

Hi! I (21F) currently rent a condo with 3 other college students. With graduation around the corner, our landlord has been doing tours of the house with new possible tenants. While we are on good terms with our landlord, she hasn’t given us 24 hour notice of these tours, and often tells us 2 hours before possible tenants tour the property. We’ve asked her to abide by CA guidelines to give us 24 hours before possible notice, but she has stated she doesn’t have to adhere to that because in the contract we signed, she only has to give 4 hour notice. Can someone please clarify if this is the case? We are really uncomfortable with the short notices we keep receiving of strangers being in our space! Thank you

My friend signed a 12-month lease at his apartment in October of last year. However, he lost his job shortly thereafter, and despite finding short-term employment for a while, he's falling behind on his rent and is now officially a month in arrears. We've already moved the majority of his stuff to a storage locker to brace for the inevitable, and he's crashing with me at the moment.

I thought about him possibly going into the leasing office, explaining his situation, and handing over his keys rather than going through the eviction process, since it's pretty unlikely at this point that he'll be able to get a job fast enough to catch up on his rent. It's an affordable housing community so I imagine they deal with this sort of thing on a regular basis.

Obviously this is a lesser of two evils situation but we're in pretty dire straits here. Any advice would be helpful.

Hi,I live in nyc and I need help.I’m in housing court for unpaid rent and I’m facing eviction as well.I need help.

What can I do?

Moved into a rent house in February so only been here about 3 months. I have one roommate (both females) and we are both clean.

Since day 1 living in this house, we have found spiders. This week we also saw 2 roaches. The first one was found in our laundry room (off the garage). We did have a water leak in there about a month ago. Anyways, I reached out to the landlord to tell him we need an exterminator and he said he’s had 3 other tenants before us that haven’t seen roaches. I know it’s not us because we’ve both lived other places and not had roaches, plus we’ve only been here 3 months and literally have seen spiders weekly. There’s gaps in the baseboards. I told the landlord that but he’s not responding. Legally what can I do if he doesn’t send out an exterminator? Also, are there any laws that protect us from being blamed for this?

EDIT: in Oklahoma for context & state regulations

Location: MD, USA. So first off, I'm sorry if I'm posting in the wrong place- if I am, please let me know.

So yes- as the title says. My dad isn't on the title and isn't on the loan. But we recently had a family fight and I said that my little brother (my mom's favorite child and also an earning adult) now has a pay rent now that he's earning. And I think my dad is being petty and outraged that I, the eldest daughter would stop covering the mortgage and utilities for the youngest sibling, my little brother. Which I'm positive that my younger brother complained about having to pitch in bc he has "student loans" so now we're here.

Side note: My sister and I have been paying the mortgage and we both owns the house. I also bought my brother a car for college (fully paid off) and he was on my cell phone plan (that he didn't have to pay for until like 3 months ago), the latest iphone at the time (also fully paid off). He now has a big boy job and now I want him to pay rent.

What can I say to my dad about him making me, having the cat pay rent? Can he implement this? AITA for telling my brother he needs to pay?

Edit: My brother and sister also agreed to have this cat.

Edit: My sister and I are on the title and currently pay mortgage. My dad and brother are not on the title and do not pay mortgage.

Edit: My dad lives on the west coast but visits once a month. My brother works in the DC area and has lived with my sister and I rent free.

Edit: A few of you have suggested I write up a lease. Doing that now.

Update: Yes, I'm going back to therapy bc my family is not in their right mind.

Update: Dad didn't show for the meeting I set. I set up a therapy session for next week. My boyfriend said he can take my cat for the mean time.

I’ve rented from the same landlord for 3+ years, always on time. I’m currently not working due to a major surgery and awaiting a disability decision. My husband works 70+ hours a week just to get us by.
On May 8th, I withdrew $2,200 from US Bank for a cashier’s check made out to my landlord. We do cashiers checks because he sometimes takes weeks to cash our personal checks and it has burned us more than once. I took it to the UPS Store where his mailbox is located (where he insists the checks be delivered to) and asked the employee to hand deliver it to his box. He says he never got it.
Today I gathered the following proof:
•Cashier’s check number from US Bank (confirmed not yet cashed)
•Screenshots of UPS camera footage showing the envelope being handed to the employee and placed in his box
•A letter from US Bank documenting the lost check claim
•My bank withdrawal record showing $2,200 withdrawn that day
US Bank says the replacement process takes 90 days (until August 8th). I have every intention of making this right once the 90 days is up and the replacement check comes through. Until then, we cannot pay $2,200 twice and stay afloat.
I sent my landlord all of this proof. His response: he doesn’t care, May rent still needs to be paid. His “best offer” is for me to pay an extra $1,100 in June AND $1,100 in July on top of normal rent, essentially paying $2,200 twice and hoping the bank’s replacement comes through in August.
We’re month-to-month with no current written lease, and he’s now threatening eviction.

Questions:
1. Can he legally evict over a documented lost cashier’s check?
2. Am I obligated to pay twice before the bank’s 90-day process completes? If so, what are my options for recourse help?
3. Should I contact the Tenants Union of Washington now or wait to see if he serves a 14-day notice?

Any advice appreciated.

I have a question similar. I found a envelope in the hallway outside my door with a bank logo on it and inside was a form E eviction notice saying that I should that I have to be out by the 30th and it had a bunch of stuff that I breached in my Lease or whatever which my lease expired two years ago I haven’t had contact with any property management in like three years except for this past October I sign for my 5% increase in rent.

My place has changed ownership many times as well. They’ve been trying to evict me All the time so they can jack up the rent to market value like which is double what I’m paying and even if I had the money, there’s nowhere to go in my town anyway the actual eviction letter form it was never signed by the person or date so this form could’ve been out in the hallway for a week. I really don’t know

The things that it states are not accurate and sound like something from several years ago just mentioned that things from Tenants complaining about certain things about my place possible smells I know I couldn’t get my garbage to the dumpster because they never ploughed or salted any of the driveway or move the dumpster And I attempted it a dozen times and I had to turn back because I’m not gonna break my neck or my leg or my hip so if the garbage did accumulated, that’s their fault because they didn’t plough all winter. Like that’s absolutely horrendous and you can’t smell anything anyway And yes, I was taken by ambulance once and was unconscious in the hallway once like a year ago and now I’m glad someone called 911 and I’m thankful for that. I have a medical condition and they came and got me. I guess this is a bad thing or anyway tenants are apparently or have complained But here’s the thing I haven’t had any notice of any complaints no notes no contact with management no emails no phone calls no text nothing for three years so if I’m not aware of any of these problems, how am I supposed to fix anything like anything at all like if I don’t know if there’s anything wrong Like like I don’t even know what company is currently property management or who is the owner of the building exactly and who is the landlord or superintendent or property manager, etc. like I said no contact with nobody and

I went to buy ambulance several times in a short period of time this past month or two I was diagnosed with another serious disease finally got to the bottom of it I came back from the hospital and I lost my keys to my apartment door a little long time ago and the door was locked so management obviously was notified by the ambulance people by something now they’re not allowed to enter my apartment without my permission and the outer doors are always locked

even when I have my keys I didn’t lock my apartment door because the key was so cheap. I knew it was gonna break off in the lock so I didn’t bother and plus my dad drops things off and comes and goes and there was no point

but I had to like knock the door in to get inside my apartment because it was 5 AM 10° below and freezing rain outside so it wasn’t difficult. I repaired it, but I don’t know where any smell would come from because any compost or organic matter I keep in the fridge and freezer until it goes into the garbage dumpster until then the garbage is just regular garbage.

There’s nothing that would smell. They said I was smoking. I don’t know how they know that without actually photographing it or seeing me doing it. How can they prove that I’m smoking they didn’t see me smoking when I walk in my building. I smell smoke all the time it’s constant I do go outside. I take an ashtray in and out with me and put it out so I don’t have butts everywhere. All evidence points toward somebody from management was in my apartment I guess

The place was a little bit messy. I guess not dirty but as I said, I was unwell for quite some time and my mobility was very bad so for several days the place got a little bit cluttered yeah just like if somebody got the flu or whatever it was promptly and quickly cleaned up I actually even hired a professional cleaner which I do several times a year And he costs several hundred dollars so any claims that I really don’t know what the issue is I have never paid rent late always early always never ever late and like I said never have gotten any complaints or written complaints or verbal complaints or anything

for the 10 years I’ve been here from any tenants Except for whatever they’re claiming on this form, but I don’t know who wrote the form because they didn’t say their name or sign it or dated so I don’t know when it was actually there because it wasn’t handed to me at all. It wasn’t stuck in my door. It wasn’t in the door. It was on the hallway floor For how long as I said I really don’t know but the eviction date said 30 April that’s long past and I haven’t heard anything. I paid my rent as usual place is immaculate. I don’t know if they’re just gonna let this go and the other question will be is this Legal in the way that it was served because it was not served like it wasn’t by registered mail it wasn’t handed to me. It was just in the hallway in a random envelope and as I said, no date and no name signed so I don’t really know who to call. I know the former Property manager, Landlord or whatever they call themselves. He’s off on maternity leave and somebody else is in charge and I don’t know if that person is back or if this other person is in charge now or not like I’m a very good tenant. I don’t have guests. I don’t smoke dope. I don’t have lab music. I don’t party. I am super quiet, but as I said, it seems that it’s not fair that they can serve this eviction without even doing a walk-through of my premises to see that it’s fine absolutely fine and clean and also any kind of contact to let me know that there was an issue of any kind cause the tenants in my building have switched Hands like half a dozen times for each unit. It seems every day a lot of turnover but like I said, I find my door locked at that time. That means management was contacted and somebody with a key to my door locked it. I am guessing they are assuming I had a key or else that’s considered in a legal lockout cause there was no communication or anything as I said three years I haven’t had any issues or anything no ambulances or nothing and the only contact was last October. I simply signed the 5% increase in rent and nothing until this past two months and I had some health issues, but I walked out. Nobody seen anything. I walked out to the ambulance like there was no light or anything it was in the middle of the night. Nobody seen anything.

Is this considered like an official being served with a letter in the hallway like without it signed or dated?

Have there been any Tenant complaints that you would think that I would be let known of such things and at least given some kind of a chance to correct them or something, I’ve been here very long time and I know they want me out and because they want to double the rent like every other unit is and every other rental in my town, but I can’t afford it. I tried and I’m doing the legal thing by doing the 5% increase every year and I’ve been nothing but cooperative and like I was looking at the date now and the date that it says I had to been out of the apartment and still no contact and I didn’t do anything either cause I’m still dealing with a lot of issues and they were supposed to be somebody to advocate on my behalf and he had to go for heart surgery so I’m waiting on him, but this is very strange like I would appreciate at least somebody come to the door and knock and you maybe do a walk-through explain things to me or whenever any of this these claims of Tenants complaints were happening at least let me know. Don’t just stated in a a form year late years later or a year later or whatever it definitely wasn’t recently.

I got an email telling me required repairs to my bathroom plumbing require me to leave my apartment, including my two dogs, for ~10 days. All they are offering me is a rent credit for those days. No offer to put me in a vacant unit or hotel or anything. The need for these repairs are not my doing. Could use some help on determining what my rights are here.

Hi guys. Thanks in advance for your perspectives here. I moved into some friends' Additional Dwelling Unit on their property this past July. It was smooth sailing for 6+ months. Around March, they get a puppy. First, I had issues with the dog barking nonstop while they were away. We made some agreements to address the issue, but they were not upheld, and when I asked for them to be, I was met with stubbornness and rudeness. Puppy grew out of their barking phase, so problem solved.

Now, they don't want to let the dog in and out, especially at 2 and 5am as they have to wake up to do it, so they just leave their back door open 24/7. Fine, not my house, so whatever. The issue is my indoor/outdoor cat that has been outdoor whenever he wants the last 6+ months without issue (just like their dog, he wakes me up at 2 and 6am to be let outside and wont stop crying until I let him out) has now been taking advantage of their 24/7 open door and going into their home. We agree that this is unwanted behavior for several reasons. I think they should shut their door. They think I should leave my cat inside.

What am I missing? So far, when I attempt to discuss, I'm met with hostility. What are my options? What would you do? How would you address this?

Thanks again.

7

In my contract it says I am responsible for minor repairs regardless if it is my fault. Minor meaning less than $500.

My bathroom sink stopped working. The town shut off everyone’s water to do some repairs but when it came back the bathroom sink is a slow trickle.

I know landlords are responsible for plumbing so I’m wondering if this is legal?

Thanks for any advice. I’m in New York

Hi.I live in ny and I need help.

I am in housing court for unpaid arrears and I have adult protective services helping me.I’m scared of being evicted.I have no place to go.If the management doesn’t get the unpaid arrears by the end of June,the current court case will go to trial and I will be evicted.

What can I do?

Hypothetically what would you do if a building was being rented out as a house but no permitted septic system, only a tenent furnished composting toilet? They put some makeshift barrels in the ground I don't even want to be involved with trying to use as a septic system electrical put in by landlord without any permits, but it's otherwise affordable compared to other options in the market, but he also wants to markup power more than he's charged and raised rent another $100 2 weeks after he's called out for it being illegal to profit off utilities. Water is also marked up 700% but its hauled in so it could be argued it's justified.

Do you threaten to involve the heath department and possibly get everyone evicted? Am I then making myself a target for harassment?

Hi all!
I am a college student currently living in a $1,450/month 1bed/bath apartment. My lease was supposed to end at the end of August 2026, but I signed a renewal in January for another year so that my lease now ends August 2027.

Problem is, I recently figured out I have the chance to graduate 3 quarters early, in fall. I signed my renewal before I was aware of my ability to graduate early, and I’m freaking out about the process of breaking my lease. I’d ideally love to break my lease early and end it in December 2026, so that I could finish out the fall quarter in the apartment and then leave. However, my lease contract states that termination of the lease earlier than it officially ends leaves me paying for the rest of the rent until it ends, even if I am not in the apartment.

I would like advice as to what to do regarding breaking my lease early as someone who has never done it before. I have paid all of my rent on time for the past 8 months, and have caused no problems. Should I start with a formal email/letter regarding my interest in ending the least early, or should I first call and discuss with my landlord to gauge their opinion on it? Should I hire a lawyer to help me with negotiations? I am fully prepared to assist my landlord in finding a new tenant and do not want to make this a difficult experience for neither me or my landlord, though I know breaking the least early is already inconvenient for them. I am just not very psyched about potentially having to pay for the rest of rent until August 2027 if I leave by December 2026.

TLDR: I want to terminate my lease early to move away but I have already signed a renewal for next year. I want to go through this process with as little legal issue, financial issue, or credit issue as possible but do not know how to proceed.

All advice is appreciated. Thank you!

Location: Oregon

Just received an email from management.

"While reviewing our records, we noticed the pet deposit ($400) and monthly pet rent ($40) had not yet been applied to your account. These will be added to your June statement moving forward."

My cat is included in my lease. Additonally, her breed, weight, and name are listed directly in the lease agreement. The sections for pet deposit and pet rent have $0 entered as the value.

Can I fight this without blowback?

I’m a college student in Philadelphia and I’m dealing with an unauthorized occupant situation in my apartment. I’m one of the leaseholders, and last year I let someone move into the unit under a verbal agreement that she would pay rent and complete the required sublease paperwork with management.

She represented that she submitted the paperwork and fees, but I later found out from management that she never actually signed or completed anything and is not approved to live there. She only made limited partial payments, was repeatedly late, and is now refusing to leave voluntarily.

Management told us this is considered an internal issue between the leaseholders because she is not on the lease. I went to Philadelphia City Hall/Municipal Court and was told that because I am not the property owner, I may not be able to file a traditional ejectment action myself. I filed a civil complaint regarding unpaid money and the occupancy situation, but I’m still trying to understand the best legal route from here.

The lease is almost over and nobody plans on renewing, but I’m worried about protecting myself and the other student roommates from consequences with management while also getting her out legally.

Has anyone in Philadelphia dealt with a situation where:
- someone moved in without completing the sublease,
- management confirmed they were unauthorized,
- but the leaseholder was told they weren’t technically the owner so removal became complicated?

What ended up happening and what was the correct process?