Re: Reasonable to request a rent reduction? - Landlord Forum thread 317581

Re: Reasonable to request a rent reduction? by Anonymous on April 16, 2014 @13:21

I don't understand why you think my LL is so keen to get us out when he is now spending $$ to make the space habitable again. We (the tenants) have not done anything to this point wrong. We have communicated all issues to him (of which there have really only been the 2 leaks and some bugs when we first moved in) immediately. We have taken very good care of the house and are treating it well. We have great relationships with all of our neighbors (residential street where we are the only renters) and are involved in the community. No pets, smoking, or parties. I don't believe that IF we ever had to withhold rent (and followed all the legal steps to do so as required by NH tenant law) that LL would be able to evict us solely based on the nonpayment. However, we haven't been in a situation to do that at this point and we hope not to.

Not all LL are great (just as not all tenants are, I've had some not great ones myself when I was a LL). I don't believe that my LL has much idea of his legal responsibilities because when I sent him the letter regarding mold testing I emailed it to him as well (with a "just letting you know I have sent this via mail") and he called me freaking out that it made him "uncomfortable" to receive such a letter in the mail. Not sure why, WE were just covering ourselves in the event we want to leave and LL doesn't allow it. Anyhow...

As I said, we have paid each month in full on time. I only started this discussion to see if asking for a reduction was a reasonable request in my particular situation.

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Re: Reasonable to request a rent reduction? by BIll on April 16, 2014 @13:44	[ Reply ]

Withhold the rent and see what happens.

Re: Reasonable to request a rent reduction? by Anonymous on April 16, 2014 @16:19	[ Reply ]

Nothing will happen except that the LL's pockets will be empty, since withholding rent is a perfectly legal response in many states to LL's neglect to maintain, and OP says that she knows it is legal in her state. Another example of how little you actually know about LL'ing and the poor advice you give.

Re: Reasonable to request a rent reduction? by Bill on April 16, 2014 @16:48	[ Reply ]

Here is what I know. When a tenant starts to withhold rent he screws the process so bad that he has an eviction slapped on him before he can say "what happened." You need to go make a payment on one of your underwater mortgages.

Re: Reasonable to request a rent reduction? by Micah on April 17, 2014 @10:28	[ Reply ]

In a lot of states you cannot just not pay the rent or part of it, you need to pay it into an escrow account with the local court.