How much should I ask for off of Rent?

But Charles the op post directly that she posted in this forum to

I don't think anyone can sit here and feel sorry now that the op is being so defensive. You asked for an answer on how the people of this forum would handle the situation. You knew that the people that post here are investors and therefore landlords. I'm sorry that you feel that anyone's response was not what you would like to hear but you asked the question.

Don't throw water on the ground and then piss and moan that you don't have anything to drink.

Are you both at fault, yes. Are you more at fault than your landlord, yes.

Kamal H.

OP

Real Estate Investor · Berkeley, CA · Member since 2010 · 15 posts · 3 votes

Charles Perkins--I approached this issue from this perspective:

1) we (landlord & I) have a verbal agreement that I pay rent and 1/2 utilities. we've never discussed and as far as I know he's never considered or brought up late payment penalties. this is inconceivable to many people on this post; but this is simply the reality of the situation.

2) both roomate/landlord and I know that we've put things off too long; he's had to go back and calculate the utilities that i owed and we're agreeing on the final amount owed.

3) i have put money aside every month to cover rent/utilities and we will soon square away and I'll pay agreed upon amount.

Since I have all funds and am ready to pay; combined with the fact that we both agree there are no late fees, I'm not concerned about the bulk of the rent owed as we both agree on this amount. My only question is regarding the past few months where there has been a contractor onsite, approximately 40 hours a week doing work; along with his mother who on at least 15 occasions makes unannounced visits into the house. One time she knocked on my closed room door while I was asleep with my girlfriend and before i had a chance to answer she barged in to check on the room. Even my roommate agrees and has told his mom to stop being intrusive but she considers this her house and doesn't feel that 3 months of work or random walkthroughs are any issue. I know that under normal circumstances the landlord and tenant would come to terms of reduced payment for the intrusion of work being done. I just didn't know what the average amount of compensation was for this type of work. You all have made it more than obvious that you feel there should be no compensation, however this is mostly justified because of your belief that I should be penalized even though landlord and I have already agreed on amount that I would owe. From my perspective I'm more than ready to start transferring funds and there's no question of how much I owe other than maybe some percent of rent off for the last couple months. Others disagreed and that's OK with me; it's understandable that the thought of how much is owed would make a forum of landlords nervous, even angry. During this post I've tried to be respectful as possible to all views, all I ask is that others do the same. Thanks for all comments

Vikram C.

Real Estate Investor · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes

Firedragon, your entire tenancy seems to be an informal arrangement. That's what has allowed the rent to be overdue for so long. And that's also what's causing the landlord to treat it as her house and intrude whenever she wants. And that's also why you should not expect any discount from her for the work that is causing you much inconvenience.

My suggestion is to just pay the rent that is overdue, start paying it every month like a normal tenant, and then you can start insisting on the various rights that tenants have come to expect.

Uwe K.

Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2009 · 203 posts · 50 votes

Originally posted by firedragon:

and regarding DTES--I've never withheld payment or refused to pay. My landlord has been as "deadbeat" as I have regarding collecting rent.

You can see that one however you like. But you shouldn't excuse your behavior with the roommate's behavior. You're still responsible for paying, even if he's not asking. E.g. I put in my leases specifically that landlord will not collect the rent personally (for some people you have to set the right expectations...)

Anyway, now that everybody has beaten you up for not paying for 3 years, let's get over that, because it seems you and roommate were kinda ok with it and you're going to figure it out.

BUT, he already offered a month free, so take it and be quiet. If you were smart, you made an interest bearing investment with the $30k, so take that money and consider it the "inconvenience discount". Just putting myself in your situation, I would not dare to ask for more.
Question though: What does roomie think about the efforts of the contractor? I guess he needs to take a shower once in a while, too. Have you talked about the situation?
I can't imagine what someone would do 40 hours a week for 3 months in one bathroom. Handcarving the marble tile or something?

Kamal H.

OP

Real Estate Investor · Berkeley, CA · Member since 2010 · 15 posts · 3 votes

Uwe Knie, the contractor is a really nice guy. The project is taking so long, I would guess because this isn't a one-man job normally. I'm pretty sure that the mom found someone at her church for some ludicrously low price to do the work on the cheap. My roomate has a 9-5 job and is practically never home while the contractor is here. I work for myself and from home often so I'm always here with the contractor. In short, my roomie's schedule means that he doesn't experience any of the inconvenience that I do. Originally there were two contractors on the job; but one of the guys died a month into the project of old age (bless his heart)--he didn't really do any physical work but oversaw the current guy. Again, the contractors have always been cordial, but it seems like the mom is trying to do a friend a favor by giving him a job and also do herself a favor by getting really cheap labor. I've discussed with other contractors and they say the job could be done in a couple weeks rather than 3 months and counting. believe me i wish we didn't have this rent thing over our heads so we could just discuss the current situation. You guys are correct that this is an informal agreement--one where rent hasn't been paid in a while and one where landlord feels entitled to enter premises whenever they please and take as long as they like for renovations. Everything should be squared away in the next month or so; all of us are looking forward to it.

Tony Severino

Real Estate Coach · Highland, IN · Member since 2009 · 151 posts · 77 votes

Ok fire dragon

Its been a few days since you first brought this up.. and you have claimed to what wanted to pay the landlord friend or whatever the relationship is...

And from what I can see here your into his wallet for about 30 grand...

How much have you paid him since this moment of enlightenment that you owe him some dough?

Scott R.

Real Estate Investor · Amarillo, TX · Member since 2008 · 547 posts · 214 votes

This has to be a joke.. I think we all just got punked!!! :) Mad the homeowner came in his room, then the contractor died.. whats next?

Kevin Yeats

Lender · Fort Pierce, FL · Member since 2009 · 825 posts · 486 votes

Firedragon,

There are many practical reasons why you should just write a check for the full amount to the landlord and ask for a receipt.

1) You move along in life and apply to rent an apartment on your own. The prospective new landlord inquires to your renting history. Will the current landlord give you a good review? How will you explain to the new landlord "My prior landlord never asked for a rent check for 3 years. We settled 6 months ago when I gave him/her/them a check for $30,000."

In other words, you are not building a payment history.

2) What if your landlord/roommate wants to get married or change your living arrangements?

3) What if the landlord/roommate dies? Who will confirm that you had an informal tenancy arrangement?

4) What if the current owner sells the property? How will that affect you? If I were the owner and looked to sell the property, I would want solid records of all income (that is your rental payments) for all the time that you "rented" the space. As the owner, those receipts help increase the value of the property.

Perhaps you have a wonderful friendship relationship with the landlord (and his mother). I'm saying that even with that relationship, YOU need to abide by your agreement for your sake.

Good Luck

Mike McKinzie

Investor · Westminster, CO · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes

Heck, with the bathroom inconvenience, I would ask for another 3 years of free rent.

3 Reply

H Simpson

Real Estate Investor · Springfield, PA · Member since 2008 · 9 posts · 5 votes

::bump::

Has the rent been paid yet?

Talk is cheap.

Nick Abbate

Real Estate Investor · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2010 · 155 posts · 16 votes

To answer your question, I will do that first.

1) Get your agreement in writting as fast as you possibly can.

2) See if you landlord being that you are both at fault will cut you a break for the rent and offer what you feel would be sufficent. I would offer your landlord 15k right off the bat I am sure they will take it. $15k they didn't have before.

3) Pay the bill as soon as you can.

4) How on earth does a bathroom take 3 months to do?
DR Horton builds complete houses in 3 months.

5) Let us know how it turns out, after the agreement and check has been paid.

On a softer more comical side send me a pm because this would make an awesome film script. :wink:

Nichola King

CA · Member since 2009 · 10 posts · 0 votes

Fire Dragon

If you had paid rent I feel like they wouldn't of had to of gone through a cheap contractor in the first place, and the bathroom would had been an inconvenience for just a couple of weeks.
Instead of spending more time posting on the topic get your check book out and write them a check. It might not be for the full amount, even though morally it would be rude if you actually have the money to pay it in full...infact alot of people would throw in some extra for their patience...but those kinda people wouldn't be 3 years late.
Just give them the money, minus one months rent...without saying a word. If they mention your friend said it was okay. But I have a feeling they won't mind. Just be aware though...they most likely will be renovating another room with all the spare cash they will now have ... :D