Posted: 3/9/2013 8:25:23 PM EDT
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My family moved into a house in Lakewood 2+ years ago. Landlord was an older man, kind of awkward, had some weird habits and expectations, but generally only mildly annoying. The place smelled of cat urine faintly to heavily depending on which room you were in. Through our own efforts, we were able to remove the smell completely from the house. Fast forward to November of last year. My buddy was going to move his wife back with her family in Oklahoma prior to deploying. There was a falling out when they got there and they had to move back at a hefty cost to them, but having given up their on post housing either had to move into a sketchy place off post or try to move into a place they couldn't afford after the move and given their pay grade. Being that they were damn near broke, I offered to have them move in with us since the wives already loved each other and the kids were about the same age. According to the Rental agreement there were no pets allowed. I agreed to this and don't dispute that in anyway. Keep in mind the place was already damaged by the previous renter and their pet. My buddy has a dog and cat, both of which are house trained and have shown no destructive habit. The agreement between both families and the landlord was that they would move in for the length of the deployment and find independent residence elsewhere after. He was oblivious to the pets when we made this agreement. He has made previous visits while I've been gone and never noticed the presence of the pets because of the efforts of both families to keep them out of sight and good upkeep of the home. He has been rude and unrealistic in his demands of both wives when he does come to do landscaping on the property. I've also spent in excess of $300 on repairs to the home because the owner is a cheap ass and doesn't really fix anything, just makes it last a little longer. It was simply easier to do it myself than to deal with the landlord. Yesterday he made a visit and stepped in dog shit. Things went down hill from there. He became obscenely verbally abusive to both wives and my mother in law. He made numerous threats and threatened eviction if the dogs weren't gone within a week. That's not going to happen. We are looking for a new place and I intend to move out as soon as I get back. I'm emailed him stating as much and I am waiting for a response. Understand, I acknowledge fully that its his house so his rules. I'm know I put myself in this situation when I brought my buddy in. I'm also willing to make financial restitution to any damage cause by the animal, though to date there is none.
What legal recourse do I have against eviction? What laws protect my family from eviction while I'm gone? Other things to look at? |
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But, you're a deployed soldier?
Still.... get rid of the dog. Maybe the 'damage' or smell from the previous tenant is why he never wants a tenant with animals again. You knew going in. Just because he didn't enforce it in a way you think proper prior doesn't mean he can't enforce it now. |
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First off, thanks for your service! I do appreciate those who serve.
As a landloard, I have been burned by unauthorized pets that have cost me money. No pets means no pets, pure and simple. I would be mad as well. If he wants you out, he starts the eviction process, it takes time, the families move out and he withholds the deposit if there are damamges. If deposit doesnt cover damages, he gets a court date, provides evidence, wins judgement against you. Flip the scenario and put yourself in his shoes, shouldnt be hard to figure out why hes mad. You were dishonest, lied, and potentially increased wear and tear or damage to his retirement nest egg. Its a signed business agreement, which you intentionally broke from the get go. |
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If the landlord wants your family out it can be done in 6-8 weeks. Depends on court calendar. First you'll get a termination of rental agreement and 20 day notice to vacate. If you don't vacate then the landlord must file for eviction. You cannot be evicted without a court order, nor can he lock you out. I'm not a lawyer though so do some real research on your own... Good luck getting your shit together. |
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Quoted:
Quoted: He became obscenely verbally abusive to my both wives and my mother in law.
I wouldn't be broadcasting that online, the breach of rental contract and defamation of character stuff you got going on should be enough trouble. It should have read both wives. IE his(other deployed soldier) wife and my wife. Animals have been present for 6 months, not the entire time, though it hardly matter.. Quoted:
First off, thanks for your service! I do appreciate those who serve. As a landloard, I have been burned by unauthorized pets that have cost me money. No pets means no pets, pure and simple. I would be mad as well. If he wants you out, he starts the eviction process, it takes time, the families move out and he withholds the deposit if there are damamges. If deposit doesnt cover damages, he gets a court date, provides evidence, wins judgement against you. Flip the scenario and put yourself in his shoes, shouldnt be hard to figure out why hes mad. You were dishonest, lied, and potentially increased wear and tear or damage to his retirement nest egg. Its a signed business agreement, which you intentionally broke from the get go. It was a shit situation I tried to make right. That doesnt stand as an excuse, just how it happened. I do not blame him for his actions and I dont intend to burn him when we move out. I knew this could happen and it did. Sucks, but its my bed. |
| op should just try to find a buddy to watch the dogs for a few months till they can find a new place pup friendly place, sure it's going to suck to move, but with combined incomes from both families you should be able to find a nicer place for the wives,children and the dogs for your deployment, and just sort out something else when you get back for your independent family , again alot of moving in a year but you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes.... |