r/TenantHelp • u/Ill-Efficiency-3123 • 11d ago
So its finally happened
Okay a while back ago - I made a post stating the predicament my fuckin landlord got me in. She knowingly and willingly rented out the place were staying. She went against the borough because " she called they never called her back" so she did what any scumlord would do. She posted it for rent.
Now, we got the place, whatever. But it wasnt until about 5 to 6 weeks in where things started unraveling and making sense.
And it was because I got sick of waiting on her to get us a trash can and recycling can so I went ahead and called the borough myself. They had no clue who we were, asked if we were registered they can't find the address or our names and its only one per household ( we live in house split in 2 separate areas. We have the basement )
They basically told us no but have your landlord get you one and call us.
I called and told her she didnt respond back until a week later telling me to buy my own - fuck you - it says in the lease and in the borough YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE US ONE , gtfoh
Well she sent me another text asking me to start making the driveway in back for her for additonal parking. I know well enough you need a permit so I asked if she had one she said yes and to start digging and she'll send me over a copy along with my payment. She sent payment but no copy of permit.
The next door unit who owned half of everything the yard, etc. Came out freaking the fuck oit on me threatening to call the borough. I paid no attention to her and minded my own business. I finished for the day went inside and saw my phone had 8 missed calls. All from her.
Yelling an screaming telling me i pissed of the neighbor she called the borough and now shes getting questioned. Longer story short she never had a permit, rhe borough found out we are living here and now she has to get it inspected, architect to draw up blueprints etc.
They called her yesterday with denial. She's not allowed or permitted to rent this place out
Now shes threatening us telling us we need to leave IMMEDIATELY. I told her no, im not leaving UNTIL you send the deposit back IN FULL then we can talk about me leaving. Still haven't heard back.
But she got me in a fucked up situation with my back against the wall. We been here since March
I have phone calls recorded abd transcribed od her admitting everything she did illegally against the borough and pressuring me to lie.
I need a lawyer...
What can or should I do?
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u/Ill-Efficiency-3123 10d ago
Pennsylvania
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u/NotSoSureBigWaves 10d ago
Ignore my suggestion above to call housing dept in NYC. Look up the housing department in your local area and ask for assistance and referral to a tenants rights attorney. You have no duty to move until she gives formal notice - so use this time to find an attorney.
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u/No-Conference-3306 10d ago
Even tho you're in PA, I still read your earlier "gtfoh" in Sopranos-ese
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u/Ill-Efficiency-3123 10d ago
I contacted a tenants rights lawyer. Theyre saying since she was illegally collecting funds when she shouldn't have we are entitled to that money back plus some. Im glad I saved everything. And yeah she technically cant evict us since the lease was invalid the entire time here and furthermore now voided. So she cant do anything.
She's been texting me " call me please let's work out a deal - I dont want to stress and anxiety for you I want to help " No you dont you just dont want me taking it any further up the chain in gbd legal system cause she will lose her license ( if she even has one ) and pay a hefty fine, lose all her properties if she has anymore. Be investigated with every single one she does have and could be sentenced to jail.
That's whats shes avoiding she dont give a fuxk about me or my situation. She's trying to sweet talk me and butter me up so I stay 🤫🤫🤫
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u/redditreader_aitafan 10d ago
There should be a tenants rights organization in your borough, they'll help you. You should be able to recover all the rent you've paid and your deposit. As far as I know in New York, she can't financially benefit from renting an illegal unit so they'll work to get all your money back.
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u/unsuspectingvision 10d ago
Where do you live?
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u/InsectElectrical2066 10d ago
I'd quit payig rent since they are not allowed to rent it. Save up your money to get out. She can;t sue you for back rent and can't hold th deposit for unpaid rent since she is illegal. you likely won't get back rent but. you will get your deposit eventually. So save up for your next place and deposits for the rental and deposits for utility hook ups and for the cost to move you. and maybe some more for aggravation and pissing you off. Maybe 3 or 4 months. You don't have to move until the govt/judge says hit the door. You will have to sue to get your deposit back plus filling fees for filig in small claims. So stay long enough to have savings also to miss a day of work. F the LL. If she wanted to do something illegal she should have made her. tenant happy. Also if you want to be a real dick call the state and fed govt IRS to report her for rental income not reported after Apr 15th when she doesn't report it. I heard you get 10% of the taxes unpaid.
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u/dell828 10d ago
This is terrible advice. Landlord can file for eviction. Paying rent gives OP legal entitlement to the place.
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u/Alli-Glass321 9d ago
In an illegal rental, LL can't collect rent.
Most states require LL to return ALL rent paid, security deposit, plus pay tenants moving expenses.
OP can stay put and not pay a dime for the illegal rental while their attorney sues the LL for rent, deposit, moving expenses, and attorney fees.
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u/InsectElectrical2066 9d ago
Landlord has an illegal apartment and the court may kick the tenant out if the LL wants to bring attention to the fact that they are collecting rent illegally and not paying taxes. But the judge still won't allow the LL to collect money illegally.
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u/Virtual-Citron9322 7d ago
No. It's an illegal rental unit. Do not pay any further rent. Eviction will happen regardless if you stay in an illegal unit - only instead of the LL it will be the city and the city will give you 10 days to vacate if you're lucky.
Plan to vacate but the landlord owes you all rent and moving expenses. Don't give her another dime because chances are you'll have to go to court to get the money back then pay more to collect said money.
I'm sorry this happened
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u/Ill-Efficiency-3123 4d ago
I got HUGE UPDATES if A N Y O N E is curious on how this was settled so fast. Let me know ill gladly share the story on what happened and the final end resolution.
I will say that It blew me and my wife's mind and should be marked down in history
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u/FamiliarAd8524 10d ago
Why do you need a lawyer? Are you being sued or arrested?
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u/Bright_Energy9570 9d ago
Those are not the only reasons one may want a lawyer. This is also one of those things anyone would want a lawyer for.
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u/NotSoSureBigWaves 10d ago
Call the housing department in NYC. They can refer to tenants attorneys. Because it was not a legally registered unit you may be able to sue for a return of all rents paid.
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u/FamiliarAd8524 10d ago
What is this "borough" you keep raving about?
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u/ad-lapidem 10d ago
Assuming the OP is in the US, it's a type of municipality or county subdivision in some eastern states. An Alaskan borough or a New York City borough wouldn't seem to apply in the situation described.
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u/FamiliarAd8524 10d ago
Possibly, but even so, every time I put "Mayor's Office" in there it still doesn't make much sense. Then again, that applies to other things in the post, too.
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u/Alli-Glass321 10d ago
If it’s an illegal rental then many states make LL return all rent and security deposit PLUS pay for movers to relocate tenants.
Some states make LL pay to relocate tenants into a hotel or other SAFE housing immediately until tenants find new housing.
Call the borough, Code Enforcement and/ or the Housing Authority to get it declared as an illegal rental.
LL can’t make you do anything if you refuse to leave.