Help With Housing, Rent
and
Slumlords
working on it: 01.10.05I have no idea what it's like where you live, so I can only tell you
what I have seen, experienced, etc.
So, these may vary from state to state;
Check your local and state sites to see.
Here in New Jersey,
if you have a large family no apartments will rent to you.
Apartments (three bedroom style) will not
accept more then two or three children (I've tried).
So the only option is to rent a house.
Your not completely screwed, only partly *wink*
(better to laugh then to cry).
Landlords are just people, like you or I.
They are looking to move up in the world a bit. Most are not born into a
rich family (old money, let alone new money), so they are
just looking to advance a bit in life. And they
are right, the real estate market is a great way to make money.
Problem is, you make your money in the homes value, not the rent.
Some try to make an extra buck in the rent (greed I guess),
while cutting back on repairs. Thats not the way real estate investing works.
Some take care of their investment,
from what I've seen, most do not.
Odd, considering most proclaim to value their time,
and time is money. They're full of shyt.
Landlord -vs- Slumlord
There is a difference between the two, I can assure you.Read below and you will see what I am talking about.
Landlords
Landlords actually do things right.They do what they are supposed to, in a timely fashion,
and ALWAYS by the book (done right).
They know how to take care of their investments.
Neglect is NOT an option to these people.
They are fully aware of, as well as practice, everyone's rights.
Yup, They know the difference between a slumlord and a landlord.
They just shake their heads at the slumlords.
If you rent for a while, you will find out soon enough the strong differences.
Slumlords
They depend upon your stupidity & Lazyness
Thats right. They want you to keep up the place,but absolutely rely on you being lazy & not reporting
any on going violations of your rights
(to the proper authorities; Houseing Athority etc).
Some think they are being 'kind' to you,
all while stomping on your rights and your childrens rights.
-I'll put the links here to help you with that little problem.
Slumlords research their rights,
as landlords,
but don't bother to learn tenant rights.
That is a classic symtom of a slumlord.Oh how they LOVE a stupid tenant...
I've been out on my own since I was 17 (and still going to high school)
I have been a tenant longer then they have been a landlord,
so I KNOW my rights.
If I let something slide, I did it out of patience.
Take it from me, sometimes turning the other cheek is ineffective.
Slumlords are spiteful things
And yet call themselves christians.Pfft. Christians my ass.
This too is a classic sign of a slumlord.
They'll not fix things on purpose (and justify it mind you), and much worse.
They may try and blackmail you into signing things you don't want to,
buy threatening or rather, reminding you of eviction.
Example: "I'll fix 'this' if you sign this lead paint waiver."
You do NOT have to sign one, its not required to have to do so.
Then again, if you sign anything under duress, its questionable.
Consult an attorney or Legal Aid in your county about this if it happens to you.
Dispite what they think,
You are not at their mercy.
Yeah, they like the idea though.Keeps you in your place, so to speak.
What they are
supposed to do
"Thats NOT my problem"
Yet another classic sign of a slumlord.Yeah it is their problem. If someone is hurt on their property, they are liable.
Put everything, every single communication in writing.
Make a detailed log of your attempts to have things fixed,
most importantly, your contacting them multiple times (attempting/trying)
to get them to fix things.
This is your proof that they were aware of it, thus, liable.
Some of my adventures with 'em
Court
A great deal many judges are landlords. They will and do 'strech'the law in favor of a landlord. Are they slumlords also?
I don't know, for I have never rented from a judge. I don't claim
to know the law, but if it sounds like someone
is stomp'n on your rights, odd's are,
they are violating your rights.
Appeal it, for a higher court will abide by the law.
It also goes on the judges record if his lack of action to enforce the law is made.
Your Lease
Funny things they are, leases. Even more amusing are the people (slumlords)who write their own up,
or gets a standard lease from an office supply store,
then adding their own 'touches' to it....
ALL without researching your rights first.
For example:
If a landlord puts in their lease,
that they are entitled to your first born child.
Lets say you sign it. Does that mean they are actually entitled to it?
NOOOOO!
Silly, but you get the point.
They can put what ever violation in those things,
and unless its disputed to a higher court,
slumlords actually think they can put what ever they want in their lease.
Some take their lease to an attorney. The attorney will ok it
(for they are just interested in keeping their client).
This does not mean it is lawful.
Take a copy to your attorney, legal aid or any housing authority.
They can quickly and easily point out the unlawful things in it.
What makes a slumlord?
"Why", you always seem to ask yourself, "do they do that?"Well, its a self entitlement, self important, control freak thing.
Thats the bottom line. They are who they are,
and they won't watch what they do 'til they are fined out the ass.
Last but not least....
Chin up. You can't change people.Just do what you have to do to protect your family.
Keep in mind when dealing with those sorts of people,
God has a funny sense of humor.
And those people, well, I wouldn't want to be in their shoes
when it's time to stand before Him.
Nope.
More great links to help
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. CLICK HERE to go back to the main page
at www.angelfire.com/nj4/njcomputerchick
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