Landlord just... ignoring us?

Question

Hi All,

Not a landlord or real estate investor, just someone with an interest in diversification. A lot of posts on this board are not from tenants, but I figured I'd ask here because this seems to be the most focused source of information.

Summary: My girlfriend and I moved into one unit of a quadplex in October 2014. We've gone month-to-month since our one year mark. The place is perfect for us. Rent is competitive, there's a yard for our dog and a garage for my project car. We promptly pay the rent on the first of every month. Originally, our lease did not include a dog because our landlord said he was reluctant with new tenants. But, we had the best credit of anyone who had applied and he rewrote the lease for us. We got Zelda a month after moving in and we're very happy.

We've had very little to complain about during our tenancy. At first, our landlord seemed pretty hands-on: stopping by to see how we were doing, checking the plants to make sure the sprinklers worked, etc. The only major problem we've had was a burst pipe in the garage a year ago. It wasn't fixed as quickly as I would have liked, the garage was wet for 3 days because he was on a ski trip with his family. For the most part, his responses were prompt, even if he wasn't able to fix things right away.

Over the past 8 months though, his responses to any inquiries have completely stopped. Our dishwasher broke and I attempted all avenues of contact (email, text, phone, voicemail) to figure out what the course of action should be. No response. We eventually gave up and keep it closed, we just wash dishes by hand now.

By random chance, he was at our building a few weeks ago; helping to move some drywall into the dumpster (another unit getting remodeled). We talked for a bit and I found out that his mom had passed away a few months ago, and I figure this may have something to do with his reduced correspondence. I didn't want to seem like an insensitive jerk by bringing up something as petty as a dishwasher, so after exchanging pleasantries we parted ways (I left for work).

Recently, my girlfriend and I have started thinking about getting another dog. The first thing we did was contact him to ask. Again, all avenues tried several times. His VM still has his personalized greeting, and his Gmail account still has his profile picture; so I don't think he's changed his number or email. So far, no response to anything. Our relationship is amicable and we have had no problems other than the ones mentioned. We love our place, and we'd love a second dog to keep Zelda company while we're at work.

Does anyone have any recommendations for us?

Thanks,

-Tory

Account Closed · Answer

It sounds like you didn't get formal permission for the first dog, but got the dog after you moved in.  And your landlord just hasn't hassled you over it.  If your landlord knew about the dog and did nothing, this gives you permission to have it -as his behavior becomes a waiver of any type of rule against having a dog.

Now, you could take a chance you'll get away with getting a second dog, in the event he notices the second dog and doesn't object.

But, any problems with dishwashers and anything else, are completely separate.  One has nothing to do with the other.  So, don't think you have any leverage over the landlord not fixing the dishwasher giving you any type of permission to have a second dog.

You need to get written permission from the landlord to have the second dog.  I've found that getting permission is usually easier via text or email.  For some reason, people think that texts and emails can't be used as written proof in court.  But, they can.

Thomas S. · Answer

If you really want to find out what his problem is in communicating with you send the following e mail

Dear ............ My girl friend and I have decided to move at the end of the month, please contact us. Thanks.

Tory

When he calls tell him you are happy living there but have had problems communicating with him. Make sure you discuss any and all issues and confirm that when you contact him in the future he responds promptly.

It sounds like his life may have taken a turn and he is no longer acting as a responsible landlord. That is not acceptable.

Account Closed · Answer

Okay, then, maybe you can use this in your favor.  Send him a communication, by whatever means is normal for you to (email, text, voicemail, etc.) and say that unless you hear otherwise by x date, you will assume that it's okay to have a second dog.

Actually, be sure that's in some sort of written format - email or text or snail mail.

And you could also include something along the lines of, unless he objects, you will pay someone to fix the dishwasher and deduct it from your rent, since you haven't heard from regarding your other requests.

That's what I'd do, anyway.  Let his non-responsive ways bite him in the butt LOL.

Account Closed · Answer

Okay, I misunderstood.  Then, specifically what is it you want?  It seems you expect some type of leverage for the dishwasher problems.  And you are trying to tie that into your desire to have a second dog.

So, what is it you specifically want?  Based on what? And what does it have to do with the dishwasher?

You could always just ask in writing for the landlord to fix the dishwasher.  But, it seems like you are trying to tie that into your desire to have two dogs.

Thomas S. · Answer

How has being straight forward been working out for you.

Tory Terzian · Answer

Hmm, I'd prefer to be as straightforward as possible. Thanks for the suggestions folks!

Tory Terzian · Answer

I don't expect any leverage for anything. The dishwasher is a small thing. The issues are not related in any way except that he has stopped responding to any and all communication. We even emailed asking if he wanted to define any new terms at the end of our one-year lease. Zip, zero response back.

I don't mean to muddy the water here, so I'm sorry my post is not clear.

I think my overall question is, how do we talk to a landlord that does not respond to any communication? All of my Googling has just pulled up recourse for landlords that are not providing necessary maintenance, or breaking lease agreements- i.e., complaints. I do not have a complaint, other than our landlord does not respond to any of our communication. It's a weird situation and I'm not sure if any other landlords would have input.

Tory Terzian · Answer

Hi Sue,

(1) dog was formally written into the lease at our request well before we moved in. My girlfriend and I knew we wanted to get one. Before we signed, he rewrote the lease for us to include the allowance of (1) well-behaved dog. We didn't get Zelda until after living there for about a month. Sorry if this wasn't clear in my original post.

I'm not putting dishwashers and dogs in the same basket, I'm using examples to show that he has become non-communicative.

Thanks,

-Tory

Landlord just... ignoring us?

Most Popular Reply