Calling all Landlords??

Question

My landlord is a total t**t. He has been on the phone to me ranting today about why was my rent 3 days late this month. I have never been late before, in fact it is usually a day early. I also brought up a few problems in the house again, which he has told me 'tough luck'.

He has also demanded I give him my home phone number, but I don't see why I should. He has my mobile number and I feel that is enough.

He has not stuck to his side of the tenancy agreement, ie no smoke alarms, I had to fit my own, leaking front door.

Do I have to give him my house number as it is ex-directory and only family members have it?

Answer 1

Just pay your rent on time. Paying rent on time in the past is no justification for being late now or in the future.  

Answer 2

no - you don't have to give him your home # as long as he has a way to get a hold of you.

We need to know what state you are in because all states have a grace period on the rent and it is illegal for him to harass you for it before those # of days are up.  Here in Oregon its 5 days.

Smoke alarms are required by state law in most states -tell him if they are not installed that you will report it.

Are the other things that need to be fixed a health or safety issue? If so these must also be fixed, by law.

Send him a certified letter of things needing fixed so that if you have to take it to a health board it is documented that he new about it.

If the fix its are not a health or safety issue - give him 30 days after the certified letter, if it is still not fixed you can have a licensed contractor fix it, keep the receipt and take that amount out of the rent.

Answer 3

they buy these houses at aution do them up and rent them out hen they don,t want to no contact the council and u r home fone no its yours DO NOT GIVE IT TO HIM

Answer 4

It is illegal not to have smoke alarms in your  rental dwelling.  I don't know where you would go in your city to report this.  You don't have to give him your house number,  not everybody has a house phone, so there is no rule about that, in fact some of my tenants don't have a phone at all so if I want to talk to them I have to go over to the house.  You might consider moving when you lease is up.  This man doesn't sound like he should be in a business that deals with people.  

Answer 5

no u dont have to give him ur number .. if he wants to contact you it should be in writing anyway.. write to him about the repairs keep a copy and see the local council if he doesnt do the repairs try environmental dept .... im a landlord so i know !!

Answer 6

As a former landlord, late rent payment is a bad time to bring up house problems. He wants your house number so he can bug you there when you don't answer your cell. If the house is in rough shape, move. If you think he doesn't care about the house, paint it or do some minor renovation and watch his response, he either flip his lid (control freak) or he'll have no problem.

Tenants tend to have a " what have you done for me lately" attitude.

" I know the rent is a week late, but these door k***s look bad. No, they work, they just look bad."

I swear I heard that once, it was hilarious.

Don't let him rant, pay the rent, and appropriate late fee, and carry on.

Answer 7

He has your cell, it's enough. Answer it when he calls. But do understand he has bills to pay, too, and you being late jacks him up. And his other tenants may be paying late, too.

However, never wait to complain about house problems. You should do this in writing and hold his feet to the fire on critical things.  

Answer 8

If he hasn't got smoke alarms fitted, he is a dodgy landlord without doubt.  Im guessing that there isn't a current gas cert on the property either.  If you are in the UK he is breaking the law and putting you in danger.  Tell him if he doesn't get the smokes sorted you'll go to the council, don't give him any rent as the property is dangerous.

How would you rather die, in a fire or due to carbon monoxide posioning due to faulty gas appliances.

My choice:- neither, move house

Answer 9

No you don't have to give your home number not at all!! Also, due to fact your always usually a day early with rent I think he is being a bit harsh having a go for it being a few days late. We have all been there, being a bit late with rent or other bills.

As for smoke alarms, its a legal requirement that he fits them, if he doesnt then you need to but then get an invoice from a mate of a mate who may be an electrician and get a dud invoice including call out charge, this you can then deduct from next months rent!! he would not have a leg to stand on, trust me on that!! that will teach him a lesson, dont put tennants at risk!

Also, any jobs he is not doing by an agreed time you are perfectly within your rights to with hold a portion of the rent which reflects the cost of the job or the annoyance caused, however, remember, once work is done you have to pay up, but if you 'have a witness' who confirms you gave it....... so why is he still asking, catch my drift?

Some landlords are great, in fact most probably are, however, some, like yours simply wanna cut corners and rip us off.

Stand up to him, you have a huge huge amount of rights, as does he but a tennants are far more vast and stronger.

Answer 10

There is something going on that is making your landlord act weird.  Too bad we can't just ask people "What's going on?".   No, you don't have to give him your home number. As soon as you do, he'll ask for something else weird.   Does he want to put the house up for sale but is afraid to tell you.  Tell him that your Uncle (me) said you should ask if he wants to sell the house and , if so, what does he want for it.  That will get him to treat you differently if your uncle might buy it. /

Answer 11

A lot of our tenants don't even have a home phone. Chicago has a lot of student renters and they can't afford a land line and a cell phone. It is not necessary for him to have two phone numbers for you. It sounds as if you should move as soon as your lease is up.

Maybe your late payment caused his mortgage to be late. Not that this makes abusive language right, just an explaination.

Answer 12

You don't have to give it to him, it up to you who you give it to except the police. He sounds like a right di*khead

Answer 13

You don't have to give him your phone, what kind of a** is he, that is privacy. He has one number thats enough. Our landlord only has my bfs cell phone number and never called and doesn't care if the rent is late. I suggest you move, if the door is leaking it's his responsibility as well.

Answer 14

Just tell him matter of factly that the house phone is just for friends and family and he has the required phone number to get in contact if need be.

He does sound like a right t**t.

Answer 15

3 days is a long time.   Now his mortgage will be late.   If you were not paid on time and were late paying your bills you would be PO'ed too.   I do not believe you would think this was OK if the table was turned.

As far as the number.   I have never been refused one, but I would not take kindly to it.   It makes the "24 hour notice" hard, because I would hate to leave a message and not know if you knew I was coming in.    The landlord should have all numbers, including work, just in case he urgently needs to reach you.

Answer 16

Of course not, you don't have a house phone do you ;)

therefore you can't give him the number. Even if you had one, he has no legal right to have it.