Landlord Question

So to make a long story short the HOA was forced to add fire sprinklers to all the units in my townhouses. I'm a tenant here. I work from home, so I've been here every day they've been tearing the place up and I haven't been able to get any work done while they've been here. Yesterday I found out that they cut all the drywall in the garage so everything in the garage, including my car, are covered in a thin layer of dust. And today they sprayed the wall texturing and there's overspray on things like our garbage pail, and small areas on the hardwood, in the kitchen, etc. It's been 6 full days so far with another 2 or 3 full days. Landlord said a few months ago that he would compensate us fairly for it, but I haven't heard anything from him yet. Our lease ends June 30th and a few days ago I asked him about going month to month. He said he would not increase our rent even though the rental market is hot right now - his words. What do you guys think?

At the very least, get something in writing from him saying that you can keep your current apartment for the same rental price, on a month to month basis starting at the end of your lease. Would be a real shock to find out on June 30th that you have to vacate the apartment by the end of the day.

As far as the damage/dirt from the sprinkler install goes, decide if you'll end up staying there if he says he will not compensate you. If you will stay there, get the month to month agreement in writing first. Otherwise, start looking for a new place and/or get the compensation letter from him in writing.

eta: The last house I rented (before I purchased a home with my Fiancee), the landlords tried to stick nearly $300 in "paperwork and administration" fees to me at the end of the lease, reducing my $700 security deposit. Long story short, when they failed to produce anything to me in writing, they waived that fee, but it makes me wonder how many times they've screwed other people over only because the other people have no idea how contracts work. Along with this, read over your lease and make sure you can continue on a month to month basis, and see what the lease states about verbal/written contracts. They usually have to be written to hold any water.

Without anything in writing, OR other tenants confirming what you were told, I'd be looking for a new place.

I have it in an email that I'd be "fairly compensated". Does that count? We were verbally told before we signed the lease that he wouldn't raise rent after the 1yr was over. I can paste our email exchange if it would help.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Superorb

I have it in an email that I'd be "fairly compensated". Does that count? We were verbally told before we signed the lease that he wouldn't raise rent after the 1yr was over. I can paste our email exchange if it would help.

---

putting your e-m up isn't necessary.
"FAIRLY COMPENSATED" ?? Whats that having some 1/2 way house mutts eye balling your shit whaile they sweep the sheet rock under the cabinets. OR an Insured cleaning crew do it right?

The HOA / Landlord should have already stepped up and taken care of the cleaning. Looks like he / she hasn't done that so whats to keep them from hosing you over on compensation? Dust / sheet rock all over your home, vehicle, clothes and eating space, unfukin acceptable. You're either aggressive or passive about getting everything done. Me, i'm wanting answers now, not after you've decided to clean up, because it's beyond acceptable to be living in the conditions you are now.

IF you made the mess described ,the land lord and HOA would be slapping you with fines left and right, for failing to remove debris and clean up in a timely manner.

The rental market is pretty warm still. I can't believe what I'm getting for rent in my rental right now. Outrageous. If you had good credit, you could buy my house and pay less than half the rental in mortgage payment.

Get pictures. Every day, take photos and print out those emails, and bring them to the landlord's attention. Get estimates on anything that appears damaged and needs to be repaired, and bring them to the landlord's attention asap. Make sure you have a paper trail that you can show.

Get ahold of the contractor and show him the damage, document everything, contact your landlord via email daily. At very least make sure you're not going to be nailed for the hardwood floor damage on move out.

It's an insured/bonded crew that's doing the work. I've been taking pictures, but my camera is crap and it's hard to see things like drywall dust.

Oh trust me, we want a house. But, I'm self employed and my wife leaves her old job in 2 weeks and starts the training for the next job a few days later and will go 3 months without a paycheck. Today I was looking at building a new home but I've read nothing but horror stories from Richmond American and KB Homes. Shea and Meritage are great, but they're either way out of our budget or far from the wife's new job. And all the existing homes here don't have a den downstairs or 3car garages in our price range which is pretty required for what I do.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Superorb

It's an insured/bonded crew that's doing the work. I've been taking pictures, but my camera is crap and it's hard to see things like drywall dust.

Oh trust me, we want a house. But, I'm self employed and my wife leaves her old job in 2 weeks and starts the training for the next job a few days later and will go 3 months without a paycheck. Today I was looking at building a new home but I've read nothing but horror stories from Richmond American and KB Homes. Shea and Meritage are great, but they're either way out of our budget or far from the wife's new job. And all the existing homes here don't have a den downstairs or 3car garages in our price range which is pretty required for what I do.

---

Move out of the prairie dog mentality, HOA cluster fuk called " family livin at it's best" and start looking through older neighborhoods. We rented when we first moved here in a tract HOA style developement. Come home @ 3 in the am or 1 in the pm, the damn houses all look the same. Same colors, same fences, same, same ,same.

If you're in the build a home price range, you can afford something with character, AND a shop.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jim

If you're in the build a home price range, you can afford something with character, AND a shop.

---

I'd love this even more than building a home in cookie cutter-ville. I work on cars all the time so a pole barn would be perfect.

I don't know anything about this though. Do I buy a plot of land and then get a home builder to build the house I want on it? Can I do any of the work myself to save some cash and ensure quality? I've been reading nothing but horror stories from the tract home builders all over CO.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Superorb

It's an insured/bonded crew that's doing the work.....

---

this does not really mean much or mean what you think it might. Insured - They probably have insurance that covers liability. the deductable is probably high and getting anything from the insurance company for the small issues you are talking about is not really reasonable. The insurance will help the contractor for big liability issues - burning the building down, having an employee hurt or killed on the job .... Bonded - They "might" be ABLE to get a bond, there is most likely not a bond on this particular project. If they did have a bond it would cover 1. The owner in case they did not perform their work per the contract and 2. Their employees and suppliers in case they did not pay for labor or materials on the project. A bond does not help you in this situation.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Superorb

I'd love this even more than building a home in cookie cutter-ville. I work on cars all the time so a pole barn would be perfect.

I don't know anything about this though. Do I buy a plot of land and then get a home builder to build the house I want on it? Can I do any of the work myself to save some cash and ensure quality? I've been reading nothing but horror stories from the tract home builders all over CO.

---

You must have skimmed over the first part of my reply. BUY an Older Home in a settled NO HOA / COVENANT CONTROLLED AREA. We scored on this house on 1/4 ac~ with non-potable well and a 1/2 ass loafing shed. 10 yrs later a 3 car garage sits where the loafing shed use to be. Do some surfing on line, some weekend driving around and see what pops up. I also suggest if something catches your eye. A second and or 3rd visit covering both a friday & saturday night, especially in the warm weather months. You can also check with the local PD regarding crime stats.

We checked out one area which looked real clean and old homes. 2 saturdays in a row and you would think there was a Cinco De Mayo party, every weekend.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Superorb

I'd love this even more than building a home in cookie cutter-ville. I work on cars all the time so a pole barn would be perfect.

I don't know anything about this though. Do I buy a plot of land and then get a home builder to build the house I want on it? Can I do any of the work myself to save some cash and ensure quality? I've been reading nothing but horror stories from the tract home builders all over CO.

---

That's two ways to do it. Be your own GC or hire a GC and do some of your sub work. GC's make about 10% off the top and in my opinion it's not enough.

I wouldn't do new construction if I wasn't the one swinging the hammer. Find an old place that you can see potential in.