I am a renter, and I need to know my rights.....

Question

My landlord failed to pay the light bill for my apartment complex. I came home the other day and all the lights in the common areas were off, and there was a disconnection notice on the front entrance door. I live in a nice suburban area, and this is simply unacceptable!

My landlord gave some excuse about forgetting to pay the bill. That got me to thinking, what else has he "forgotten" to pay? the mortgage? property taxes?

I went to my county tax auditors website and discovered he owes over $75,000 in back taxes. What are my rights as a renter? People do desperate things when they are that far in debt. I hope he isnt thinking about setting the building on fire or anything. I wonder if he is even paying the mortgage, is there any way to know for sure? I dont want to come home and find out the property is in foreclosure!

Answer 1

As long as the landlord provides the necessary utilities, the rest of what he doesn't pay (mortgage, insurance, etc.) are not your concern.  If the property ends up in foreclosure (and it's apparently a complex), chances of eviction by any new owner are very low.  As a rental complex, they will want to continue the income flow for the property uninterrupted.

As far as the landlord torching the building, I think you're being a bit paranoid here.

Answer 2

go to housing court, you can arrange to pay your rent to an arbitrator until you get this issue resolved. That way you wont be throwing good rent money down the drain.

Answer 3

Do you have a local agency that deal's with tenant rights?  If not contact your local legal aid society and see what to expect and get some help.

Answer 4

Src50 is right.  If it's in your lease for the utilities, then he has to provide it.  You can't break your lease, even if he's not paying his mortgage.  Once he has been foreclosed on, then the bank will give you notice.  They can't just kick you out, they have to give you notice.

You can't prevent it from happening.  Just move as soon as your lease is up.

Answer 5

Strictly speaking, his taxes and mortgage are not your business.  But if your lease requires him to provide utilities, that is.

Answer 6

Definitely contact the Attorney Generals Office and tell them everything!  If lights are off in the common areas, it is dangerous/dark in entryways.  If his insurance company knew this, he would probably be dropped, (if in fact he has insurance and he hasn't been dropped already for lack of payment).