Help With Best Response To A Slum Lord. Want To Raise Rents For The Rats Living Here

[Deleted member 28740]

Most of the letter shoved under my door last night:

Heats on full blast and it is 56 inside. I pay utilities and have at my cost weather proofed all windows.

His letter along with threats of eviction is that "Concerning the rats. There is nothing that can be done because it's an old building. You can put out rat poison. The only way to get rid of the rats entirely is to tear the place down….. If you want to stay there then you need to do two things 1) pay rent -see eviction notice. 2) Put out more traps and poison. I have fixed what can be fixed and addressed the rest. You knew the condition of the house when you moved in. If you are unhappy you should move out. I have been far more than fair and gracious with you. ….. Any other landlord would have raised the rent."

"With regret"

Love living in a rat infested place where they run around inside, INSIDE not just the walls, and suggestion to put out poison. Good for me and Bella. Raise the rent. What THE f*ck!

Help me laugh about this with your most vile responses. Wish I could offer a prize. It does take my mind off the Holiday shits.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I am at a loss of words in knowing how to respond properly. It is a health hazard so I empathize with your plight. Sad and tragic situation. It is so difficult to be at the mercy of a unmerciful landlord, I know this from past experience. Hugs.

 

[Lucycat]

Shit. 56 degrees. That is so hot. It got to 31 when I was in Tenerife recently. Here it was 10.5 today and that was a wee bit cool. I hope you have good air conditioning?

 

[scout86]

@Lucycat , I believe that's 56 degrees FAHRENHEIT, not Celsius. (We've a bit behind the curve here in the States! :confused:)

 

[scout86]

@Changeling , I don't suppose the landlord lives in your building? I was thinking of how a cat will catch something (like a rat) and then leave it on it's owner's steps, as a gift..... And then I'm picturing a pile of rat bodies on his front steps? Or a rat or 2 a day, depending on how fast they can be caught?

How many tenants in your building?

 

[Deleted member 28740]

@scout86

How many tenants in your building?

Washington State law. Single family dwelling no recourse*. I am in a total meltdown. More from doing research.

* Single family dwelling means landlord it not subject to most or all of the tenancy rights codes and laws. I can call in building inspectors and if they condemn the building I have to move immediately. No recourse for the move, or assistance. One possible is that if the landlord owns more than 4 units even if separate then State Code requirements kick in. Relocation assistance, back rent etc.

Meltdown it not helping getting these ducks in a row. And finding a place to move with an acute foot ankle sprain. A stair from the back deck completely broke away throwing me to the my right hit, arm and foot slam as shoe came off and landed on concrete from a few feet up. He wrote he "sorry to hear about my slipping on the stairs." How to find an attorney. Different when you life is normal, and you can document that you lost wages. I have been bed ridden since 11/11. Used to walk my dog 2-3 miles a day and I am beyond low and lost. 3 big injuries in two years and no bounce back.

I did look him up online for a van that he has driven here for use. Rescue MIssion. Operations Manager. Helping feed the homeless. Thoughts about that make me sick. Eviction is in process.

Single family dwelling is a 40's fishing shack studio. Rats come in through a storm cellar area into all the walls and through the insulation. My hands are bruised from banging at the wall at night to chase them down. I can not walk. I can not reset traps, and no poison where I and my Bella live. "Sorry if your unhappy move."

Yep would love to drop off a bunch of rats to his home. He considers mine income to cover the insurance during and estate situation and needing to have it occupied (just found this out yesterday).

 

[scout86]

I'd "like" that, but I don't! That's incredibly rotten on his part.

Do you live in a city that's big enough to have some kind of legal aid society? A "renter's rights" group of some sort? He sounds like this is nothing new for him. (I think "most people" would think twice about evicting someone who got hurt because the property wasn't maintained.) Sounds like the biggest rat in the mix is the one who owns the place!

 

[Deleted member 28740]

Sounds like the biggest rat in the mix is the one who owns the place!

Yes, and a short time and limited resources to deal with. 22 for eviction start. Yet he has not repaired the stairs or the rat infestation. They have gotten through interior walls to my food, counters, floors. I am sick on many levels from this. The lack of mobility and the tole of that is a compounding to sinking.

Thanks @scout86

 

[Cavegirl]

I do not like this. I am so tired of people being treated unfairly. Please see if there are any agencies that can help you.

 

[Deleted member 28740]

@Cavegirl. Thank you. Trying to get help and have found some. Always legal loops for the have's and the have not's. A cave!!! like the thought of that. My dog is and maybe me wolfy, though neither like the rats at all.

Few irons in the fire to help with this. Bless those that use their talent and legal training to help.

 

[Kailani]

I would try to not get evicted and see if you can come to a reasonable money owed agreement. The reason is not for your rat landlord but for your future renting. I'd run for the hills ASAP. That is an unacceptable and dangerous living situation. There has got to be better places to dwell. He should be calling pest control and having professional traps placed outside the property to yard to draw the rats away. They like peanut butter and cheese. They could eat your plumbing or electric wires and cause disasters. Never mind you and your pets health. Talk to people. Check pets ok housing on Internet. It's a site I have used. My heart goes out to you!!!

 

[seedling]

He wrote he "sorry to hear about my slipping on the stairs."

Sounds like a written admission of guilt to me. Lawyers love stuff like that. You could get a free consultation. Not all attorneys that do personal injury are flamboyant etc. His liability insurance may cover your medical costs etc.