Is my landlady harassing me?

Question

My rent is due on or before the first of the month. According to my lease, after the third of the month it is considered late and is subject to a late fee. I moved in February 1st, and every month my landladys daughter (apt manager) calls me to collect it. Sometimes she will also knock on my door, which usually wakes me up (i'm a late sleeper). I always pay on the first. This month when my rent was due i was very very sick and couldnt go to the bank. I got a call on the 30th(a day early), the 1st, the 2nd and 4 calls on the 3rd! 2 of which were after my rent had been put under her door. It seems to me this would be harassing behavior. I personally have never lived anywhere where the landlord would come around looking for rent on the 1st! usually you can just mail it or put it in their mailbox...Am i overreacting?

Answer 1

I would ask them in a nice way to please stop calling about the rent and remind them that you normally pay on the first.

If they continue, tell them to stop harrassing you and you will now pay on the 3rd of each month as allowed by the lease.

Sounds like the landlord is tight on cash.

Answer 2

No, it is over the top harrassment.  Calling on you before the 3rd is improper.  I'd find a new place to live when the lease is up.

Answer 3

Sounds like harassment to me, I don't think your overreacting at all. I'd just tell them that you appreciate the kind reminder calls, but they aren't necessary. Good luck! They shouldn't call you until the 4th day to resolve the issue of nonpayment, never before. It's kind of rude..

Answer 4

Legally she is OK do do this after the rent is late, not before.

I am going to venture to guess that they can not make the mortgage payment w/o the rent and they do not want to be late getting the mortgage in.

Be grateful they are paying the mortgage.   There are threads here about renters loosing their place to live because their landlord neglected to pay the mortgage.

Answer 5

I had a landlord who came by on the first of every month to collect.  I guess it was his way to check the place out.  It was quite annoying but that was his way.

Them calling you BEFORE the first is ridiculous.

Try having the check or money order prepared before the first.  I know it's not due until the first but if you paid it on the last day of the month it would prevent them from calling or coming over.  You know when rent will be do so just try to make a new habit.

Also tell her you are a late sleeper and would appreciate it if she didn't come knocking and calling until after NOON.  If she continues to do so remind her again and tell her that you will file harrassment charges if it continues.  

I would begin keeping a record of what time she calls and or comes knocking.   You might even have her sign your paper (that has the record of what times and days she is calling)  when she comes to let her know you are serious.  BUT I think if you begin to drop the rent off a day early her obsessive behavior will cease.

I hope this helps.

Answer 6

No  - you are not overreacting - infact what she is doing is illegal in most states.  You don't say where you live, but check the landlord tenant law in your state.

Most states have a law giving the tenant the right to "quiet enjoyment" of the property. which basicaly means that the landlord cannot harrass you.  legaly she cannot harrass you for the rent or charge any late fees till after that 3rd day.  Calling you constantly before the 1st or the 3rd is completly unreasonable.

Give her notice that if this illegal activity does not stop that you will give your notice to vacate.  Make sure you doccument and get as much proof of the harrassment as possible so you can win in court and not lose your Security Deposit.

Answer 7

Your landlady is way out of line!  You should not be getting calls or knocks on your at all for rent unless it is in your lease agreement.  What I would do is mail her a rent check so it gets to her by the first of the month so she is coming over.  If your payday is after the 1st but before the 3rd, send her a post-dated check for the 3rd on the 1st of the month.  That way, she has the rent either way!

Answer 8

Look at it from their side -- they have a mortgage to pay that is due on the 1st -- tell them they should not call or knock before a certain time of day, that you have to get to sleep in order to work and pay the rent, and move out as soon as the lease is up.