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d-h2008
LIF Adult
Member since 10/09 2490 total posts
Name:
D EDD: 8/29/2010
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Is my landlord buggin out?? UPDATE in last post!***********
We moved into this 2 family house Aug of this year, like 2 weeks before i had DD. Its a 2 bed, 1 bath for $1400/month, we also have to pay gas/electric. The comps in the area were cheaper 1200-1350 but we were sold on this one b/c he agreed to let us have a washer/dryer. We know for a fact the tenants that left were paying less but we didnt negotiate the rent cause he was being nice about the washer/dryer situation.
All of a sudden he comes up to me today and he says that his water bill has gone up and wants to charge me extra $$ per month. He is holding like 6 past bills and comparing them. The avg. in the past was $180-200, now its $280 (for 3 months). He wants to charge me an extra $30 a MONTH!!!
My husband is furious, he is literally willing to move again. We feel like this is HIS expense as a landlord!! Also he never mentioned anything about this when we were about to move in. Plus we are already paying high rent!! Its so pety, $30, really?? I told him my husband will talk to him when he comes home from work today.
I just dont know how its that high, i run the washer literally 1X every 1.5 weeks to 2 weeks, so about 3 times a month. The dishwasher (which was here when we moved) I run about 1X a week, so 4X a month. My hubby and I take 5-7 minutes in the shower. Its just so sad, whats the point of having this washer/dryer if im gonna worry every time I use it!!
On a side note, the heat in here SUCKS, we are cold 90% of the time and since last month i have told him at least 20 times that we are cold.
What do you think? our responsibility or his? I cant imagine moving again but honestly we are really considering it. 
Message edited 12/8/2010 11:10:57 AM.
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Posted 12/6/10 4:31 PM  |
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JackiePags
They're the love of my life
Member since 8/10 1299 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out??
Do you have a contract? Does the contract state the landlord is resp for water no matter what the bill is? If so, then he can't raise it on you. If not, then I'd pay the $30 a month, it's cheaper then sending your clothes to the laundry mat.
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| Posted 12/6/10 4:46 PM |
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d-h2008
LIF Adult
Member since 10/09 2490 total posts
Name:
D EDD: 8/29/2010
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out??
Posted by JackiePags
Do you have a contract? Does the contract state the landlord is resp for water no matter what the bill is? If so, then he can't raise it on you. If not, then I'd pay the $30 a month, it's cheaper then sending your clothes to the laundry mat.
No contract...Landlord lives downstairs and we never signed anything but he said "I pay for water and heat, you pay for gas and electric". The thing is before this apt. we lived in a 1 bedroom, no washer dryer $1100 (just a couple blockd from where I live now) and we used to do our laundry at the laundry mat... avg. was $30 a month. So im actually not saving money at all, its not cheaper. 
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| Posted 12/6/10 4:50 PM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out??
With no 1yr lease in place, he has the right as a landlord to raise your rent (given you 30-60 days written notice).
You have a right as a tenant to not pay it and move out.
I would just try to work it out with your landlord.
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| Posted 12/6/10 5:00 PM |
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d-h2008
LIF Adult
Member since 10/09 2490 total posts
Name:
D EDD: 8/29/2010
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out??
Posted by ave1024
With no 1yr lease in place, he has the right as a landlord to raise your rent (given you 30-60 days written notice).
You have a right as a tenant to not pay it and move out.
I would just try to work it out with your landlord.
I see... either way just stinks ya know. When we moved in he said he was looking for "a long term tenant" and how he hates searching for new people, etc. So im thinking to be like "oh sorry this exceeds our budget, were gonna have to look for something else" and maybe he'll change his tune?
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| Posted 12/6/10 5:03 PM |
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out??
We just got our water bill and it was significantly higher due to summer usage-ie. the lawn watering-can he wait and see if it levels off?
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| Posted 12/6/10 5:42 PM |
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d-h2008
LIF Adult
Member since 10/09 2490 total posts
Name:
D EDD: 8/29/2010
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out??
He said this bill was from mid august to mid november. oh and p.s. he has an above ground pool in the backyard that he was filling and refilling every other day!! 
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| Posted 12/6/10 5:53 PM |
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Dani77
It's FUN to be ONE
Member since 7/09 4363 total posts
Name:
Danicia
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out??
My landlord just made a comment about the water bill being higher too... as she put it alot higher...but no numbers were discussed and nothing about raising rent or anything...I sure hope u can work it out with ur landlord 
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| Posted 12/6/10 5:59 PM |
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HeatherRose
Life is Good :)
Member since 11/07 6605 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out??
I would mention the pool and watering the lawn. As for the heat you can call the town and report him if he doesn't maintain a certain temp (look it up for your town) its the law!
I would tell him no way on the water. You agreed to a certain price and that it exceeds your budget. Done deal. Move if you have too, but that's high rent to begin with.
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| Posted 12/6/10 6:59 PM |
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BAM 2009
I am who I am!!!
Member since 5/09 6081 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out??
We pay for half the water bill in the 2 family house we are living in. My landlord lives down stairs too. They have a washing machine, dishwasher, and jacuzzi tub? They run the washing machine at least once a day and there are 3 people living downstairs who bathe/shower everyday. 1400 dollars a month for a 2 bedroom house is an awesome deal...
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| Posted 12/7/10 12:29 AM |
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Aries14
Can't plan life...
Member since 8/08 2860 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out??
well I can tell you that we are landlords and have a tenant that lives in an apt above our garage. I know for a fact he takes REALLY long showers - we are friends too and two of his past girlfriends always complained about how long he would be in the shower, lol. But I would never raise his rent for that. We agreed on a price and we knew as landlords there would be some costs we would be consuming but at the end of the day his rent helps pay our mortgage.
p.s. that sounds like a really high bill. I can't imagine you guys are doing that, even if you used the washer everyday!
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| Posted 12/7/10 9:15 AM |
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d-h2008
LIF Adult
Member since 10/09 2490 total posts
Name:
D EDD: 8/29/2010
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out??
Posted by Aries14
well I can tell you that we are landlords and have a tenant that lives in an apt above our garage. I know for a fact he takes REALLY long showers - we are friends too and two of his past girlfriends always complained about how long he would be in the shower, lol. But I would never raise his rent for that. We agreed on a price and we knew as landlords there would be some costs we would be consuming but at the end of the day his rent helps pay our mortgage.
p.s. that sounds like a really high bill. I can't imagine you guys are doing that, even if you used the washer everyday!
Yea that is my thinking, as a landlord there are some bills that you just have to take care of. I mean if we wanted to worry about all the bills we would have bought a house!!
Also, since the water is not seperated how does he know how much "we used". I mean he could have been the one to raise the bill, no?
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| Posted 12/7/10 10:20 AM |
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LadyBug1209
Mommy to FOUR little men!
Member since 8/08 9655 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out??
Where do you live?
My water bill is $20 a quarter and I do a ton of laundry and run my dishwasher 3-4x a week!
$180-200 a month seems insane to me! 
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| Posted 12/7/10 12:01 PM |
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d-h2008
LIF Adult
Member since 10/09 2490 total posts
Name:
D EDD: 8/29/2010
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out??
Posted by Maria31
Where do you live?
My water bill is $20 a quarter and I do a ton of laundry and run my dishwasher 3-4x a week!
$180-200 a month seems insane to me!
Queens.
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| Posted 12/7/10 12:06 PM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out??
Posted by HeatherRose
I would mention the pool and watering the lawn. As for the heat you can call the town and report him if he doesn't maintain a certain temp (look it up for your town) its the law!
That is poor advice when you have a month to month lease.
If I was a landlord and my tenant did this, they would have a 30 day notice to vacate under their door the next morning.
It's one thing to nicely mention the heat issue. But to actually call the town on somebody would be a sure-fire way of getting yourself kicked out of the apartment.
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| Posted 12/7/10 12:47 PM |
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out??
Posted by d-h2008
Posted by Maria31
Where do you live?
My water bill is $20 a quarter and I do a ton of laundry and run my dishwasher 3-4x a week!
$180-200 a month seems insane to me!
Queens.
I was going to ask you if you lived in Queens.
I think they changed their prices this summer because my in-laws bill jumped a ridiculous amount this summer. My MIL and FIL kept calling to see if it was correct and they kept staying it was. They even had people come out and check the meter.
Nothing changed as far as usuage too.
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| Posted 12/7/10 1:37 PM |
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d-h2008
LIF Adult
Member since 10/09 2490 total posts
Name:
D EDD: 8/29/2010
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out??
Posted by JerseyMamaOf2
Posted by d-h2008
Posted by Maria31
Where do you live?
My water bill is $20 a quarter and I do a ton of laundry and run my dishwasher 3-4x a week!
$180-200 a month seems insane to me!
Queens.
I was going to ask you if you lived in Queens.
I think they changed their prices this summer because my in-laws bill jumped a ridiculous amount this summer. My MIL and FIL kept calling to see if it was correct and they kept staying it was. They even had people come out and check the meter.
Nothing changed as far as usuage too.
Hmm interesting!! I didnt know this... ok, so it might not really be me!!!! Im gonna tell him this. It just sucks that once I move in the prices go up!!
BY the way: UPDATE******************
My husband talked to him yesterday and flat out said we dont have the money for any more rent, even if it is $30/month. The lanlord was not happy but his exact words "um, ok... guess I cant do anything about it then!"
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| Posted 12/7/10 2:25 PM |
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JandJ1224
Member since 6/06 5911 total posts
Name:
Jannette
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out??
I would be annoyed too that seems petty to me.
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| Posted 12/7/10 4:37 PM |
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d-h2008
LIF Adult
Member since 10/09 2490 total posts
Name:
D EDD: 8/29/2010
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out??
UPDATE AGIN*************************************
Yeah so the landlord came up with his whole family to have a "talk" and said that even though we cant afford the $30/month , neither can he. After 30 minutes of talking we are ending up paying the $30/month!! We made it very clear that he shouldnt consider us long term tenants anymore and that we would be looking to move.
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| Posted 12/8/10 11:09 AM |
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NoStressMom
My Heart and Soul
Member since 5/05 11122 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out?? UPDATE in last post!***********
Posted by d-h2008
UPDATE AGIN*************************************
Yeah so the landlord came up with his whole family to have a "talk" and said that even though we cant afford the $30/month , neither can he. After 30 minutes of talking we are ending up paying the $30/month!! We made it very clear that he shouldnt consider us long term tenants anymore and that we would be looking to move.
so sorry this is happening to you!! That really stinks
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| Posted 12/8/10 11:22 AM |
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JennZ
MY LIFE!!
Member since 8/05 25463 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out?? UPDATE in last post!***********
Posted by d-h2008
UPDATE AGIN*************************************
Yeah so the landlord came up with his whole family to have a "talk" and said that even though we cant afford the $30/month , neither can he. After 30 minutes of talking we are ending up paying the $30/month!! We made it very clear that he shouldnt consider us long term tenants anymore and that we would be looking to move.
This would have been the perfect time to tell him, consider the rent increase he is charging you, even. You said he was charging the previous tents a cheaper rent. He should be happy he has someone living there.
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| Posted 12/8/10 1:25 PM |
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DMT
LIF Adult
Member since 6/05 2277 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out?? UPDATE in last post!***********
What a moron over $30. Does he realize that if you do leave that place could be empty for months? Thus losing $1400 a month!
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| Posted 12/8/10 1:27 PM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out?? UPDATE in last post!***********
can you tell him that you won't do laundry for a month there to prove to him that you are not the increase for the water?
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| Posted 12/8/10 1:41 PM |
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d-h2008
LIF Adult
Member since 10/09 2490 total posts
Name:
D EDD: 8/29/2010
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out?? UPDATE in last post!***********
Posted by Blu-ize
can you tell him that you won't do laundry for a month there to prove to him that you are not the increase for the water?
THis is exactly what I mentioned during our little "meeting" and he said the water bill is every 3 months so I would have to NOT do laundry for 3 months in order to see if it made a difference or not.
I told him to call up the water company and ask if there was an increase cause even my mom who lives in Queens had her water bill DOUBLE and she didnt changer her usage. HE called and they told him they raised the rates 12% in JUly. HELOoooooo, so that could be accounting for the extra, no?
I just feel so ******, I feel like im helping this guy pay HIS bills as a homeowner, THATS WHY I CHOOSE TO BE A RENTER. So what now? If his heating oil bill is too high is he gonna after me for that too?
Thanks for the recommendation of not using the washer though, it def. crossed my mind.
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| Posted 12/8/10 1:46 PM |
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JandJ1224
Member since 6/06 5911 total posts
Name:
Jannette
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Re: Is my landlord buggin out?? UPDATE in last post!***********
If you seriously would consider moving I would gather some rent comps and have a meeting with the landlord, tell him you are paying above market and will not be paying additional money!!
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| Posted 12/8/10 1:57 PM |
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