Landlord/Apartment Question

[pax 0]

I'm sure other VJers have been in this situation, so here goes...

I moved into my current apartment in October. When I first looked at the place, I told the landlords (they're an older married couple who spend half the year in Florida and half about 20 minutes from where I live) that Ewen would be moving in with me sometime in the spring. I asked if this was all right, and if I would incur a rent increase when he moved in. They said it was fine and I could continue to pay the same amount of rent. I pay the utilities for the apartment (phone, Internet, electric including heat, and water), except sewer and trash.

So fast-forward to now. I'll be mailing my rent check for April this weekend, and I'm wondering if I should remind my landlords about Ewen moving in. I don't want them to "change their minds" about the rent increase, but I don't want them to feel as though I'd snuck about on them, either. I've had very little contact with them since I moved in; the hot-water heater needed replacing and they had it replaced, and since then, I've just mailed the check every month. They might still be in Florida, for all I know; one of their children takes care of their properties while they're away. I do have a lease, if that makes any difference.

What would y'all do?

Edited March 16, 2006 by pax

[Carol&Marc 0]

I would send a registered letter to them explaining it to them again and that way you got your butt covered!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Are you looking to add Ewen to your lease? Might want to do that if you are looking to stay there a while longer. In that case, you'd have to let them know, of course. If you're just looking to ride out the last few months of a year's lease and don't really need Ewen added on, just have him move in and then look for a place together once your lease expires.

That's what I'd do...

[Dixie_Peach 1]

pax... i think it is a good idea to remind them that ewen is coming... but, to have some way to document that you DID indeed tell them... i would make a copy of the letter... and send it registered mail... that way they have to sign for it to receive it... good luck

lynne

[Mand 1]

I'd let them know in a freindly way that Ewen is moving in. Can you call them? Also ask if they can add Ewen onto the lease if you're going to be there till October (if it's a year long lease)...No harm in trying.

Plus you sound like you've never given them any hassle before, so it's not like you are always bugging them with troubles. You'll be fine

[pax 0]

Are you looking to add Ewen to your lease? Might want to do that if you are looking to stay there a while longer. In that case, you'd have to let them know, of course. If you're just looking to ride out the last few months of a year's lease and don't really need Ewen added on, just have him move in and then look for a place together once your lease expires.

That's what I'd do...

Nah, we'll be moving out once the lease is up.

Here's the thing: before I moved into this place, I was sharing a house with two other people in a different part of town. It started off that it was just my first housemate in the house. Then he brought me in, and then we brought in a third housemate for the summer; she left when she started school again in the fall. The landlord got really cranky about it and wanted to jack up the rent even after the third gal moved out. My original housemate didn't have a lease, but had gotten the same verbal permission from the landlord for me and for the third housemate. Again, we paid all the utilities for the house except trash and sewer.

So I'm a little gun-shy, even though I've already told the landlords about the situation. My neighbors are very nice, but they're all single, middle-aged, professional people and I'm by far the youngest person in the building. I don't want them, or my landlords, to get the impression that I'm going to move my boyfriend in and start having wild parties or something. I think it would be the responsible thing to remind them, but I'm afraid of having the rent raised; I live in a nice building in a nice neighborhood, even though my apartment itself is a smallish walk-up.

I'd let them know in a freindly way that Ewen is moving in. Can you call them? Also ask if they can add Ewen onto the lease if you're going to be there till October (if it's a year long lease)...No harm in trying.

Plus you sound like you've never given them any hassle before, so it's not like you are always bugging them with troubles. You'll be fine

No, you're right about that. I've always paid the rent in full and on time, and since the water heater problem, I haven't even spoken to them.

Might the certified/registered letter seem a bit heavy-handed?

[Jenn! 918]

Same situation here. Told them my finace would be coming in a few months, but I wasn't exactly sure of the date. They told me no rent increase, but they would have to run a credit check, etc. on him once he moved.

I still have yet to inform them that he moved in in December.

Planning to move when the lease is up in August though.

[pax 0]

See, they won't be able to do a credit check on Ewen...being that he'll have no credit to check!

[designermedusa 0]

Since you already asked for their approval now I don't see any reason to bring the issue up again. That is unless you told them that you would inform them of his move in date?

[pax 0]

I don't remember if I did. I only said "sometime in the spring," because when I moved in, we didn't know the exact date yet.

I just don't want my neighbors to see him around and tell the landlords about it, thinking that we're trying to get away with something. Not that I think they would, but I don't trust people as much since my last bad experience (our next-door neighbors complained about us having three people in the house, even though we never had parties or blasted music or even really had much company!). If they said something to the landlords, I wouldn't want the landlords to feel like I'd gone behind their backs.

[Dixie_Peach 1]

See, they won't be able to do a credit check on Ewen...being that he'll have no credit to check!

if you don't feel comfortable with the registered mail... you could always send them an email (provided that you have an email addy for them)... or, you can just put a note into the envelope with the rent check... i was thinking registered mail because if they did want to raise the rent because of ewen moving in... then, you would have proof that you did supply them with that information...

hmmm... although, they could still say they only received the check and not the letter... but, they did repairs in a timely manner before - so that leads me to at least think that they are good and honest people (the good ol' take on the "innocent 'til proven guilty" kinda thing)...

basically, do what you feel comfortable with... if you just want to send a note telling them that ewen will be here soon... i think it shows good points on your side that you continue to make them aware of the circumstances... maybe a letter stating that he will be here and moving in on such & such a date... and that you would like to inquire how that will affect your lease and the rent... and ask them to please respond by letter...

wishing you all the best

lynne

[kc456 0]

If he's your fiance, then I don't think it will be a problem. The rent is for the apartment, not per person, so I don't think you need to fear a rent increase. I'd still inform them that your fiance is moving in with you from overseas. I think they will be reasonable.

[pax 0]

Okay, here's a note I wrote up:

Dear Mr. and Mrs. [Landlords]:

I hope you enjoyed your winter in Florida! Everything has been very well here.

I just wanted to remind you that my fiancé will be joining me in the apartment on Monday, April 17th, 2006. We had discussed this when I originally moved into the apartment, although I didn’t know the exact date at the time. He’s moving here all the way from Scotland, and we’re both very excited. I’m aware that any change in the sewer billing due to the additional person in the apartment will be my responsibility.

Please feel free to give me a call if you have any questions. I can be reached at my office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday-Friday at xxx-xxx-xxxx. At other hours, my cell phone number is yyy-yyy-yyyy.

Thank you,

[pax]

[kc456 0]

That sounds really good.

[Dixie_Peach 1]

excellent! send it out pax... and good luck!