Background info, for you just hearing about the
sitch for the first time: My dear sister, Lisa, is in the UK for a month, so while she is away, her things are at my house. My landlord saw us moving them in and, understandably, wanted to know what was going on and who was moving in. I explained to him the
sitch and told him that i was keeping Lisa's things until she could come back and sort through them, including her motorcycle. He joked around about her being lucky to go away and offered to let her keep the motorcycle in his mom's barn, down the road. I mentioned this to his mom ("the mad hatter") later and she didn't seem to know anything about that, so we just decided to leave the motorcycle parked in my spot. ALSO,
i've been trying to get cable in so i can have
internet and phone (our
VOIP line). I thought this would be pretty straight forward, but apparently my landlord doesn't believe in having lines run around his house, even if he cannot see them. I have taken time off work,
JM has taken time off work TWICE to meet the cable guy, but my landlord keeps throwing kinks in.
To my Landlord (previously known as Happy Harold),
Let's recap this week:
Monday: nasty note telling me what i can and cannot keep
in my own space, which i faithfully pay rent to use each month.
Tuesday: telling MY cable guy to get off the property because he had an "attitude" (i.e., he allegedly said one sarcastic comment in front of you).
Wednesday: posting a "please remove shoes" sign on the window of the entrance to MY suite.
Today is Thursday. And while i had the good sense (and grace!) to not confront you about these things yesterday, while i was in a rage, the time has now come.
I understand that my home is part of your property and therefore you have certain rights. HOWEVER, you must accept that choosing to rent out your basement suite means that you give up some of your rights.
For example, what i keep (boxes or any other possessions) in my space is up to me. Unless there is something that could damage your property (boxes will not) or that is illegal, you have no say in what's inside the space i rent. I understand that you stored an old dresser for a friend and it was infested so you had to have your place fumigated. I am more than happy to prove to you that none of the items i possess are infested. As a side note, how do you know what i am storing where? I don't think it is appropriate (or legal!) for you to be looking in my suite without my permission and/or me being there.
Also, the cable guy on your property was providing a service to ME, not you. I would never ask one of your guests or customers to leave... You aren't the king of the bloody castle! You are right that you shouldn't have to take crap from the cable guy (although
JM was right there and said you completely overreacted for no reason), but you should act like an adult and overlook some things instead of being so unreasonable. Sending the cable guy away didn't 'punish' him for his 'bad attitude'; he still gets paid the same. And it doesn't affect you, except by puffing up your ego through a lame power trip. But it does affect me; i am the one without cable. Still. This is ridiculous. I have to send out wedding invitations (which were supposed to go out a week ago!) and i need the phone working before i do that. Denying me basic services is NOT within your rights as landlord.
And last, but certainly not least, the shoe advisory. After 10 months of living in the same building quite harmoniously, i might have been able to overlook the shoe sign, but not this week. First of all, you knew there was a shoe sign before i moved in and that i promptly removed it the same day. So it's obvious that i
don't want such a sign posted in my home. I think it is very rude and impersonal to have a sign posted that reads, "please remove shoes." As a side note, i don't wear my shoes in the house. I always take them off at the door. My guests do not wear their shoes in my house. If it were an issue, i would simply ask them verbally to leave their shoes at the door. However, if i did want to wear my shoes in the house, that is my right to do that (one of the rights you gave up when you rented out the suite). I think it is very controlling of you to try to tell me what i can wear in my own home. You have a damage deposit from me, which protects your property if i wreck anything (i.e., the carpet by wearing shoes). I also find it quite odd that you were down near my suite entrance to begin with. You have no reason to be down there. It is your right, as landlord, to do inspections if you choose. However, i have to be give written notice at least 48 hours in advance. Since i have not received anything, i can only assume you were not supposed to be there. Also, if it is so important to you that i don't wear shoes in my own home, you should simply speak with me about it-- NOT post signs without my permission.
Let's recall our Tuesday conversation (after the cable guy incident and i had to calm my bf down so he wouldn't deck you-- you can thank me later).
me: Harold, why are you chasing away my cable guy? (half-hearted joking, trying to keep things light)
H: blah, blah, blah (lame excuses, pride issues, whatever)
me: Is there something else wrong, because you should just tell me if there is.
H: no, everything is fine, i just don't like the cable... blah, blah, blah
me: Are you trying to get me to move out?
H: no! you're my best tennant. i like you. and jm.
me: Well, it feels like you don't want me to live here anymore.
H: more denials, blah, blah, blah.
As you can see, verbally you left me with the impression that you are not trying to push me out. However, you are sending mixed messages. After 10 months of happiness, you start pulling all this crap. Not cool. If you want me to stay, stop being controlling and unreasonable.
Have a nice day!
