About Paulette Expertise I'm a landlord in California as well as a real estate investor. I know a good amount of information regarding landlord-tenant issues especially rent controlled properties in the los angeles area.
Experience see above
Publications I'm one of the real estate investor experts on this site and have been answering real estate questions for over a year now.
Education/Credentials I have a bachelors degree in Health administration, a pending masters degree in Public administration and over four plus years as a landlord. I manage and operate a variety of properties in and outside of california.
Past/Present Clients See histor/list for pvmproperties, llc.
Question My daughter signed a $380.per mo.1yr.lease on an apt.in Mar.09 with $100.dep.beginning April 1st.The landlord wanted me to co sign. I refused.I did however meet with him and her and went over her budget and paid the deposit and prepaid 1080.rent.($50.a month her budget lacked,the deposit and 1 months rent) The apt needed cleaned,painted and misc repairs.She moved in prior to all repairs being made.When I saw the apt again 1 week later I reminded the landlord that I thought by law he was to CLEAN the carpets and PAINT the entire space...not vacume and spot paint over dirt, he smiled and said we cleaned the unit....I asked then why is the dirt/trash that was in the closets and utility room the day we looked at this unit still there? He smiled and said oh your being ridiculous to expect a spotless unit....1 month later when my daughter mailed her rent she sent a list of repairs still not complete...such as the closet doors that were on the balcony still not hung and the a/c not working and the elect.box door hanging off the hinges, bathroom fan not working. Those things were fixed...not properly (such as the elect.box door is screwed down so you would have to have a elect screwdriver to open it) but fixed with 10 days. The a/c he complained that it was going to cost $6000.to replace the unrepairable unit and it took 3 weeks and 3 days of varies people to give est. and then 2 days of the men inside her apt. to complete repairs.On June 15th he posted a 3 day notice to leave based on non payment of rent.I replied in writing that he needed to check his records,spelled out the math in the letter and expressed my shock of the 3 day notice based on non-payment. Then he called me and was full excuses about how he puts those on the door of all tenants whom he does not have a monthly check from by the 15th etc.Now my daughters son's father had assaulted my daughter in the apt. the week before and she was in the process of gaining a restraining order and there had been alot of police activity as a result. I told him I would provide him a copy of the restraining order, which I did.My daughter wants to move, as her son's dad knowing where she lives etc. is a fear for her.I told my daughter not to pay anymore rent until the prepaid balance was used up as I don't trust this landlord now and altho he talks big and wide about being new owner and getting things improved the quality of workers he has on the property is very poor....drunk guys taking 4 days to put on 1 side of siding...etc. On July 26 he mails me and puts on her door a letter stating her rent is past due and it was only $380 the 1st mo. due to prorating but $400 a mo.thereafter.In the letter he is demanding $390. for July rent immediately. (not what it says in the lease...the lease says $380.per mo. with the lease beginning April 1).I told her just to ignore him as he claims in the letter that the deposit was $100. and he has received $1840. and the lease states $380 a month.Its Aug.1st he put another 3 day notice to her to vacate on her door.He mailed me a copy of the letter demanding rent and he even claims in the letter to still be holding $160. If she moves can he hold her to the lease? When you do the math he is holding $100. in deposit and $220 of Aug. rent. There is 7 day grace period written in the lease.I know this guy thinks he can somehow claim I am liable for her rent...when I met with him he had a promissory note typed up because she had already told him I would not co sign a lease. I refused to sign it and jokingly told him he was reaching far and wide suggesting such a thing.He owns 2 9 unit buildings in a very nice area.I seriously doubt the apt. would remain vacant if she left and it was offered at the same rent.I am sure that as he improves the property he wants more rent but where do we stand if she acts on the 3 day demand to vacate? I don't want to loose the $320.She wants to move and I do not want to risk him locking her out as he makes comment about her nice belonging everytime the door is opened and I do not want her stuck trying to pay rent and this lease. What do we do?
Answer Hi Jennifer,
I don't know Ohio's landlord/tenant policy but here in California, he would have to take her to court first before he could do a lock out. Most tenant's have lot's of rights. He can't just put her out. It make take like 60-90 days before your case is seen. Try to have a personal conversation with the landlord also put a letter in writing about the repairs that wasn't done. If he tries to evict you; take photos of all the damages and the letter indicating that he has not complied with what he agreed to do; and counter sue him for damages. The judge may throw a fine on him and make him repair the property before he sees a dime. Also look for a local consumer agency to help you with filing a complaint with the city. Is it rent controlled? If it is; he's in big trouble. They don't like slumlords. Call your local consumer agency and see what they say.
