The Landlord Protection Agency  
Main Menu, Landlord Protection Agency homepage Membership With The Landlord Protection Agency Free Landlord Services Member Services  

Re: Can he just evict me because he doesn't like me? - Landlord Forum thread 323504

Re: Can he just evict me because he doesn't like me? by Anonymous on August 28, 2014 @18:23

                              
Some of these code violations are SUPER CHEAP fixes: the lack of smoke detectors, the window that doesn't have a lock, and the outlet that lacks a cover plate. A cover plate for an outlet is under 50 cents for pete's sake, a window lock under $5 and smoke detectors can be had for about $10 each. The oven not working is also a violation of your local LL/T laws, as is lack of adequate heat. But a working used stove can be had on Craigslist for free sometimes (I got one once in perfect condition; the owners were getting rid of it because they were remodeling and the color didn't fit the new kitchen). Heating for the place (especially if it isn't large) could also be provided cheaply. Lack of air conditioning is not a code violation although it might be a lease violation if the lease says it will be provided.

I think you might find the following link very helpful.

http://ota.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ota/publication/attachments/Tenant_Survival_Guide.pdf

There is one thing you are at fault for...you apparently did not follow proper procedures in notifying the LL about the need for repairs. The proper procedure is to send the landlord a letter by certified mail telling him what is wrong and needs to be fixed. Then, if the LL doesn't respond, that is when you are supposed to contact the housing inspector. So you have sorta jumped the gun, if you haven't made the requests for repairs in writing and sent them by certified mail.

How safe from homelessness are you? Well, at least somewhat safe, I'd say. IF he gives you an eviction notice, you can challenge it in court. You can also ask for your rent to be reduced if " your apartment has mice or roaches, inadequate heat or hot water, or other unsafe conditions (housing code violations). If the judge finds that your landlord has violated the housing code, the amount of rent you owe can be reduced"

The above quote was straight out of the DC government Tenant Survival Guide I gave you the link information for above. I highly recommend your read it very carefully. Since a housing inspector is coming, there is certain information there that you really should know beforehand.

I'm sorry you have a slumlord. I know rents in DC are super high. I lived there 30 years ago, just after graduating from college, and could only afford to live in a boarding house. The rent was $300 a month for an unairconditioned shared bedroom (2 beds in the room) and a shared bathroom (shared with six or eight other people). But at least it was in a good neighborhood and clean.

Read that Tenant Survival Guide.
[ Reply ] [ Return to forum ]

Re: Can he just evict me because he doesn't like me? by Anonymous on September 1, 2014 @10:05 [ Reply ]
Thank you for all of this info. You are right, that these fixes are cheap. My kitchen flooded yesterday, and the landlord was upstairs. He didn't even bother to come down, even though the kitchen and bathroom sinks were overflowing. All he cares about is having money cross his palm.

If dude had not come to me asking for my other six months up front because he dumped all his money into the ongoing construction upstairs (and I had no idea what a foreclosure would do to me....now I know, I'd have had money to fix all these things myself. I know it's not my responsibility, but I have never been a tenant that complains of every little thing. I fix my own stuff when I can. I fixed dude's garbage disposal, I've done my best to treat the drains. I bought heater panels to heat the bedrooms in the winter. I keep the place clean. Landlord just doesn't give a sh*t.

Given the nature of some of these issues, I figured going directly to him and speaking to him would solve the problem, as I have lived in places with property managers, and your complaints are at least addressed same day. I have never had to send a letter about a violation before.

He's been paid upfront, so there will be no reduction in rent. He's already spent all that money, plus my security deposit. He does it with every tenant he has. He was renting the house upstairs with no a/c, doors that didn't lock. For a minute I thought I got the better deal, having a finished place to live in, but problems keep arising.

Mainly, I want the list of violations so I can go back and sue the shelter I was staying at, because there were programs I qualified for (not public housing), that the shelter purposefully did not refer residents to. These programs are federally funded and shut down when there are no people to be referred to them. They exist for us. It's not welfare housing, like the shelter seemed to think. Funding is set aside specifically for people like me. Disabled with a disabled child. I have no idea what I'm going to do next year. I could have had a place that asked for rent according to my income, now I have no chance of ever getting on any section 8 list or anything. I'm so scared.

Check-Out
Log in

Look-up
Associations
Attorneys
Businesses
Rentals Available
Rentals Wanted
Realty Brokers
Landlord Articles
Tips & Advice
Tenant Histories

Other Areas
Q&A Forum
Free Forms
Essential Forms
Landlord Tenant Law
Join Now
Credit Reports
About Us
Site Help



Contact The LPA

© 2000-2023 The Landlord Protection Agency, Inc.

If you enjoy The LPA, Please
like us on Facebook The LPA on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter The LPA on Twitter
+1 us on Google