Scared of Landlord

Patnono

Member
Location
Whittier,Ca
I've been living where I'm at for about 20 years, always paid my rent on time. Rarely asked to repair things, my ex-husband is pretty handy. But in the past on occasion she's come by accusing me of things me or my kids didn't do, I've always been careful of that because how she is. I've got to call her about something that I want her to look at. I'm stressing about her coming with a bad stomach ach. She has raised my rent alot, October is coming which is usually the month she raises rent if she does? I'm a senior citizen whose living on savings and SSI. I sometimes feel like she would like me out? I thought landlords appreciated Good tenents? Thanks for reading
 

I'm a landlord, and have been for the last thirty- three years. Good tenants are always treated well, in my properties. What kids are you referring to? Do you have pets? Do you keep your house in good shape? Are you responsible for yard upkeep? Are you on a long-term lease, or month to month? If your landlord wants you out, then she simply won't renew your lease or, in a month to month situation, she'll give you thirty days notice to vacate. You need to have a talk with her or have someone represent you, if the landlord is ok with that, and find out exactly what the problem is, if there actually is one. After twenty years of dependable rent history, I can't believe your landlord has it in for you, unless she's wanting to sell her property. Again, you need to clear the air.

FWIW, regarding rent increases: In 1986, I was charging $325/mo. for the property where I now get $1300/mo. Taxes increase, horribly, in my town, every year. I have to raise rents, just to make a decent profit. Similar properties to the one I referenced are charging $1800/mo., but I try to hold the line, as best I can. The IRS also sticks it to me, yearly, as does the insurance company, and those payments further eat into any profit dollars I may make on my properties.
 
I'm a landlord, and have been for the last thirty- three years. Good tenants are always treated well, in my properties. What kids are you referring to? Do you have pets? Do you keep your house in good shape? Are you responsible for yard upkeep? Are you on a long-term lease, or month to month? If your landlord wants you out, then she simply won't renew your lease or, in a month to month situation, she'll give you thirty days notice to vacate. You need to have a talk with her or have someone represent you, if the landlord is ok with that, and find out exactly what the problem is, if there actually is one. After twenty years of dependable rent history, I can't believe your landlord has it in for you, unless she's wanting to sell her property. Again, you need to clear the air.

FWIW, regarding rent increases: In 1986, I was charging $325/mo. for the property where I now get $1300/mo. Taxes increase, horribly, in my town, every year. I have to raise rents, just to make a decent profit. Similar properties to the one I referenced are charging $1800/mo., but I try to hold the line, as best I can. The IRS also sticks it to me, yearly, as does the insurance company, and those payments further eat into any profit dollars I may make on my properties.

Thanks for responding, I'm glad to hear you care about your tenants. My kids when they were young, her husband said my kids did something But couldn't say for sure? When older said she found trash on the ground with my daughters name on a piece of paper, there had been a problem with animals digging in the trash. She speaks to me in a cold voice. I live in a townhouse, no yard to care for and the house has No damage, just Ware n tear. As a matter of fact I had a roof leak awhile back, the leak was fixed, But she never took care of water damage inside. I've helped her out letting her know when unsafe situations raise. Maybe because of the way she acts, I'm reading more into it? I always treat her with respect. She does have several rental turnovers, right now 4 vacancies. I've heard other tenants complain, honestly when I've needed something fixed it's been done promptly. I don't believe she's looking to sell, she has several properties. And have to admit growing up my parents were always being evicted non payment of rent. I think that has tramatized, so I try to be the Best tenant I can.
 

I've been living where I'm at for about 20 years, always paid my rent on time. Rarely asked to repair things, my ex-husband is pretty handy. But in the past on occasion she's come by accusing me of things me or my kids didn't do, I've always been careful of that because how she is. I've got to call her about something that I want her to look at. I'm stressing about her coming with a bad stomach ach. She has raised my rent alot, October is coming which is usually the month she raises rent if she does? I'm a senior citizen whose living on savings and SSI. I sometimes feel like she would like me out? I thought landlords appreciated Good tenents? Thanks for reading

Are you in a house, condo or apartment? If you're in a condo it may be your landlord wants you out so they can get way more money from younger tenants. Or, maybe she wants to sell. I can understand your fears. It's justifiable. Good luck.
 
Are you in a house, condo or apartment? If you're in a condo it may be your landlord wants you out so they can get way more money from younger tenants. Or, maybe she wants to sell. I can understand your fears. It's justifiable. Good luck.

Thanks, a townhouse, she's been raising my rent so much she almost has me where the present tenants are. That would be a BAD decision because she's been having tenants leave on a regular basis. 4 vacancies right now that have been vacant for over 6 months or more. Other tenants are talking about leaving if she keeps raising the rent the way she has? I don't believe she's planning on selling, I know when she purchased this property, doing the math it's could be paid for? She owns several other properties.
 
Twenty years of living in fear of the same landlord?

Yes, she didn't even bother to meet me when I first moved in. My first meeting with her I was given the riot act on watching my kids and who was going to be watching them? Even now, my grandson who lives with me, there was a notice put on my door advising me that he wasn't allowed to play outside. That's one of her list of rules posted outside. It's Not that I'm nesscisarily Scared of her persay, just afraid she's looking for something to get on me about?
 
This is sad to have to worry about a landlord/lady, she
may be very happy, but doesn't want you to know.

This could be the way to have less work to do because
the tenants will do the little jobs rather than have to
meet with her.

Mike.
 
This is sad to have to worry about a landlord/lady, she
may be very happy, but doesn't want you to know.

This could be the way to have less work to do because
the tenants will do the little jobs rather than have to
meet with her.

Mike.

Maybe, but when I see her I just say hi, nothing more. You could be right about tenants doing the little things, my ex-husband is a pretty good handyman. My time there might be coming to an end anyway I'm looking for senior housing, but that can take awhile?
 
I agree. Some people are just plain greedy and unpleasant. She sounds like one of them.

Yea, what are you going to do? I think In a way she's getting some backlash, she has more vacancies at one time than in the past, I think it's due to how she treats her tenants? They've been vacant for about over 6 months or more?
 
Hi Pat
I am also a landlord and if someone had stayed in one of my houses for that long I would have been happy as a clam. I don't quite understand about her posting rules. Every tenant should have a lease that describes exactly what they can and cannot do. There shouldn't be all that much wiggle room. And not letting kids play outside?

I can understand her raising rents although I have never raised the rent on any of my tenants as long as they were in living in the house. You have been living there for 20 years, so I can understand her raising it occasionally. How often, though? Is this a yearly thing? We have a rental house that we just purchased. We had decided on a rent, but found out other landlords in the area were charging at least $150 more per month than we are. Our houses rent from $750/mo to $890/mo. Honestly, I really don't know how tenants afford the rents landlords charge anymore. That is why we try to keep our rents as low as we can and still pay taxes, insurance and maintenance costs for them.

I think you are right that it's time you moved somewhere else. I think you've put up with her long enough.
 
Hi Pat
I am also a landlord and if someone had stayed in one of my houses for that long I would have been happy as a clam. I don't quite understand about her posting rules. Every tenant should have a lease that describes exactly what they can and cannot do. There shouldn't be all that much wiggle room. And not letting kids play outside?

I can understand her raising rents although I have never raised the rent on any of my tenants as long as they were in living in the house. You have been living there for 20 years, so I can understand her raising it occasionally. How often, though? Is this a yearly thing? We have a rental house that we just purchased. We had decided on a rent, but found out other landlords in the area were charging at least $150 more per month than we are. Our houses rent from $750/mo to $890/mo. Honestly, I really don't know how tenants afford the rents landlords charge anymore. That is why we try to keep our rents as low as we can and still pay taxes, insurance and maintenance costs for them.

I think you are right that it's time you moved somewhere else. I think you've put up with her long enough.
Wow you sound like Great landlords, where are your properties? Can I rent from you? Lol she's been raining my rent yearly $100 usely, last year $200. October's next month is if she raises the rent that's when she'll do it? So I'm having tremendous anxiety worrying if or how much? This isn't helping my diabetes, I already have nerve damage to my right hand. Moving isn't easy or cheap. Thanks for writing, God Bless people like You🙏
 
If I were that stressed about the possibility of the rent going up and by how much, I'd just ask her.

Rents go up every year here, too. There really isn't anything you can do about it unless your local laws put a ceiling on how much rent can be raised. Here, there is no such law and so it's however much the traffic will bear.
 
@Patnono
We'd love to rent to you, but since we live smack in the middle of the U.S., you'd have to move quite a ways. :)

It does sounds like she will raise your rent again next month. Especially with the vacancies she has now, she has to cover that rent from somewhere. I know that moving isn't easy, but what would be better for you? To keep living where you are now or move to a senior living place? You have to factor in both costs and the effect on your health. Whichever way you decide, I wish you the best of luck.
 
if this was me ' I would ask her outright do u want us out ' as the way u are now living is no fun -with what if's -
at least it will clear the air and stop u stressing out ' if it is so iam sure u have rights and someone u can chat about this who knows the tenancy laws ect -- if so she has to give u fair notice -dont take her word for gospel '
get all the right info after u have asked her .. and ask about the raising of the rent also -as it seems a little drastic to me -...dont be bullied and stressed' know your rights ok !!
 
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I'd be seriously looking for another place
Here in Oregon, there's limits on increases
I think it's 7%

Interesting, I live in California, which I'm sure you know rents here are out of control. But our city council just voted on making rent control permanent. It would be 3%-8%. My sister got her rent raised $500 at one time, our hands are tied 😖. She probably doesn't make the connection why she has several vacancies?
If I were that stressed about the possibility of the rent going up and by how much, I'd just ask her.

Rents go up every year here, too. There really isn't anything you can do about it unless your local laws put a ceiling on how much rent can be raised. Here, there is no such law and so it's however much the traffic will bear.
I understand that, there is no rent control here not sure she's going to raise the rent. It's just she's raises it so much when she does. She always includes reasons why she does. It's always the ones. Thanks for writing
 
Before asking if she wants you out, make sure you have a place to go if she says yes. Without a long term lease she can probably terminate your tenancy with 30 days written notice.

I wish you luck on this, Pat. You already know how tight the Los Angeles rental market is - and how very expensive.

Whittier is an unincorporated city (meaning not part of Los Angeles City) and therefore you aren't covered by LA City landlord-tenant laws, which tilt more heavily in favor of tenants. However, Whittier is covered by LA County rent control so you might have some protection there.

This article was published yesterday in your local paper:
https://www.whittierdailynews.com/2019/09/10/rent-control-advances-in-california-l-a-county/
You might want to spend some internet time boning up on the relevent laws for your area, investigate available, affordable rentals that you can qualify for, and then approach your landlord from a position of knowledge and strength.
 
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Before asking if she wants you out, make sure you have a place to go if she says yes. Without a long term lease she can probably terminate your tenancy with 30 days written notice.

I wish you luck on this, Pat. You already know how tight the Los Angeles rental market is - and how very expensive.

Whittier is an unincorporated city (meaning not part of Los Angeles City) and therefore you aren't covered by LA City landlord-tenant laws, which tilt more heavily in favor of tenants. However, Whittier is covered by LA County rent control, and you might have some protection there.

This article was published yesterday in your local paper:
https://www.whittierdailynews.com/2019/09/10/rent-control-advances-in-california-l-a-county/
You might want to spend some internet time boning up on the relevent laws for your area, investigate available, affordable rentals that you can qualify for, and then approach your landlord from a position of knowledge and strength.
Thanks, how did you know I lived in Whittier? I'm not sure she wants me out? Just feel picked on.
 


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