Well I'm Moving

[Josephhgoins]

So, I have been trying to get my finances in order, so that I can purcahse a home. I still have no real down payment saved up and my debt has actually grown this year. I have taken steps and gotten my budget back in order, but I won't be able to buy anything for at least a year and maybe two.

My lease renews and he end of August and I finally got a copy of my new lease the other day. As I have to give 60 days notice before I move, I have until today to get it signed and back.

I started reviewing it on Tuesday evening and decided that I am obviously not wanted here. Among some of the gems in my lease:

Tenant cannot store items in closet.

cars must be parked "head in" to parking space.

Tenant can have no pet younger than 1 year old.

There is a list of pets that I can't have, not only does the list have the obvious like Rottweillers and Pitt Bulls but also Gerbals, hamsters and reptiles.

Only first floor apartments can have aquariums.

I can't decorate my apartment.

I can't have any window treatments other than the blinds already installed.

I have to have written permission to put anything on my patio.

Landlord reserves the right to come into my apartment at any time for any reason.

1 clause states that I can't have a grill and another one tells me that all grills must be covered and we have to have written approval from the management for the cover.

And the best one is that I can't make any negative statements about management or the owner's.

So, as a friend said only stupid or desperate people sign stupid things and I don't consider myself either. The apartment complex beside us is just as nice, has nowhere near the rules and everyone seems much friendlier. They also cost the same and have an opening for an apartment for the date that I need, so I am moving there.

I hate that it will put me behind as I will have to pay about $600 in pet fees, security deposit, admin fee and duplicate rent (1 week), but the folks here are obviously jerks.

Just thought I would share.

[wjcalderon]

You're definitely doing the right thing.
It sounds like the current owners are more concerned about how the apartments appear to outsiders than to the actual paying tenants.

[Josephhgoins]

OH and I forgot one of the best ones. If I break my lease I have to pay $615 fee, forfeit my deposits and pay 2 months rent plus any used concessions. I was only signing a 6 month extension, but I could face paying as much as $2129.00 plus the deposits (around $500) to leave early.

[OOwl]

Wow, some of that was just unbelievable! It's been a long time since I've seen a lease so I had no idea they could be so specific like that. Was that a PERSONALIZED lease that they drafted especially for you, or one that they use for everyone in your complex but have just been adding to as issues came up throughout the entire property? I'd be offended if I was asked to sign a lease that stated I couldn't store things in a closet. Like how would they know??? Hope you find a better place to live. Wish you were closer, I have a rental property, and I REQUIRE people to have pets (my experience, dedicated pet people make the most stable and pleasant of tenants).

[Russ]

Landlord reserves the right to come into my apartment at any time for any reason.

What in the what? I can see if he/she heard construction noise going on but for ANY reason?


I'd move too and I'd make all kinds of negative comments!

[Josephhgoins]

my thoughts exactly Russ!!!

There were 2 sections. I believe the first section was made specifically for me and the second was boiler plate.

The "may enter at any time" came in the first section. I explained to the manager that I worked for a DoD contractor and had documents that were classified as "No Forn" which means that only US citizens may view the docs and that I also had other Corporate confidential financial docs. My words to him were that no one under any circumstances could come into my home UNLESS there was an life or death emergency or court order. This is when I was negotiating the new price. The clause was his answer, I guess.

And I am posting some of the stupid clauses they put in there EVERYWHERE I can!

[mh3rdwheel]

That lease is really stupid, I hope you find a better place, my mom lived in a place where kids were allowed but management hated kids. You were not allowed to have kiddie pools, no riding on the sidewalks, etc.

[Russ]

That lease is really stupid, I hope you find a better place, my mom lived in a place where kids were allowed but management hated kids. You were not allowed to have kiddie pools, no riding on the sidewalks, etc.

*facepalm* that's ridiculous.

[krbshappy71]

Your posting made me appreciate my house all over again. Don't despair, you will get your house, it will just take some time!

Sheesh, people complain about HOA's but mine isn't as strict as that lease. Good for you for not putting up with it.

Moving is a pain, but so are jerks like that. Hugs to you.

[Nishu]

Some of that doesn't even seem like it would be legal. Is he going to try to mess you up as you leave, like charge you for stupid stuff? I'd be cautious, for sure. Good luck with your move.

[mh3rdwheel]

Before you move out clean the apartment thoroughly, clean carpets, etc. Take pictures or video tape each room, the carpets, everything. Keep the pictures in case your landlord tries to keep your deposit by saying you left the place a miss.

My last landlord said that we left the place a miss, that it was clean when we moved in, it was so clean that when we moved in we had to first clean out the refrig of all the old food that the former tennant left months ago, then clean and sanitize it.

[mh3rdwheel]

I think that is probably not legal. Have you tried calling the Fair Housing Commision (I think that who you talk to) about this, show them the lease, maybe there is something they can do.

[Libby]

Holy crapballs Joseph! Glad things worked out for you in terms of finding a better place to live for the right time frame and so close to where you are now. I hope you enjoy your new place.

I'd be tempted to say - keep a copy of this proposed lease and complain to some sort of housing authority. Can you report bad landlords? Some of those practices seem dodgy. May not be illegal but seem very dodgy and worthy of bringing light to. I wonder if others have filed a report on them? You can bad mouth all you want, you didn't sign the paper!

Before you move out clean the apartment thoroughly, clean carpets, etc. Take pictures or video tape each room, the carpets, everything. Keep the pictures in case your landlord tries to keep your deposit by saying you left the place a miss.

My last landlord said that we left the place a miss, that it was clean when we moved in, it was so clean that when we moved in we had to first clean out the refrig of all the old food that the former tennant left months ago, then clean and sanitize it.

I agree with this - from the type of lease they were hoping you'd sign - cover yer butt! Definitely take pics, heck even have the landlord sign a document that says he did a walk through with you/while you were there, before you hand over keys, after you've moved your stuff out out and agrees that it was left satisfactory. Cover yer butt. Any honest landlord would not oppose to that.

[shoiji]

Have lived in apartments most of adult life. The place I currently live in charges $50 for each hole left in the wall when you move out. So you have to make sure to plug up any hole in the wall before you leave.

But they definately do not have all weird and controlling rules that your current lease has.

Good to hear you have a really convenient place to move to. One apartment complex I lived in have two different complex's right across the street. One place was notorious for having a maintenance worker coming into your place anytime they wanted.

Sure you will feel great and relieved when you tell the management you will not be signing a new lease.

[daylily]

That lease is really stupid, I hope you find a better place, my mom lived in a place where kids were allowed but management hated kids. You were not allowed to have kiddie pools, no riding on the sidewalks, etc.

This reminds me of a campground we stayed a weekend at! This was back when the kids were small and we were planting trees. We were between jobs and exhausted and desperate for a good quiet place to camp for a few days. Almost dark, we saw the campground sign and the price was good so we pulled our camper down this long winding road and DH went in the office to register. The manager was fine until he saw the kids (who were about 14, 12 and 9). He said there were absolutely no kids allowed. His sign said nothing about that! Finally he softened enough to tell us we could stay one night but the kids were not to be seen outside the camper at any time. We got out of there as soon as possible the next morning!!

Joseph, I hope you will find a great place to live! I've never rented but that lease sounds like overkill to me.