66
votes
Asking landlord to stop letting himself in the house
I have had a similar problem in the past.
Your landlord is disregarding your privacy as well as your rights as a tenant. They know that what they are doing is illegal, and still, they do it. They ...
- 1,462
40
votes
Accepted
How to express my concerns to a potential new landlord?
It is a dilemma. You're worried that if you speak against your existing landlord, any potential new landlord might think you are the problem; perhaps that your standards are impossible, and that you ...
- 27k
37
votes
Accepted
How can I talk to my friend in order to make sure he won't stay more than two weeks?
Talking about paying rent after two weeks gives the impression you can stay for more than two weeks! It can already be seen in the reaction from your friend:
He said he would pay a respectable rent ...
- 33.8k
25
votes
Asking landlord to stop letting himself in the house
You mention that this guy isn't actually the sole landlord. In this situation I recommend that you "talk to the organ grinder, not the monkey"; that is speak to the person that is really in charge, ...
- 27k
19
votes
Accepted
How to talk to my landlord about a playmate of his daughter stressing me?
Time for a small frame challenge.
The problem as I understand it is that the boy doesn't realise that the 2 doorbells means you're just neighbours sharing the same front door. From my experience with ...
- 5,871
17
votes
How can I talk to my friend in order to make sure he won't stay more than two weeks?
Both of my children have taken in friends with nowhere to live and yes, faced the issue of how to limit that stay. I think the key is in the way you tell the person they can stay. Compare:
Sure, this ...
- 44.2k
14
votes
How can I talk to my friend in order to make sure he won't stay more than two weeks?
I want to summarise your question slightly differently than written.
You have a house and like your own space.
Your friend has been given 6 months notice to leave his place, is struggling to find a ...
- 2,080
13
votes
How to ask a landlord to install air conditioning?
A while back I wanted air conditioning in a townhouse I rented. I got a price on it of 2,200.00USD for central air conditioning, which was low at the time. I talked it over with the landlord, and he ...
- 1,090
12
votes
How to involve the law with minimizing feelings of threatening
In the situation you describe, you can't.
You want your landlord to do A (stop the dog from barking), and she refuses to do A. You have options-- if you don't like where you are living, you can leave ...
- 16.3k
12
votes
How to ask a landlord to install air conditioning?
I'll leave aside the landlord-tenant relationship and landlord's obligation and focus on the question itself.
I'd gather information. What are the rest of the flats in the area like? How would it ...
- 32.2k
9
votes
How to politely tell landlord "you don't have to remind me for rent"
As she is obviously not doing this to embarrass you or nag you in any way, I think she's probably doing this as a "friendly reminder", and as such, sees it as a favor she does you. The best course of ...
- 664
9
votes
How do I ask my unhygienic housemate to move out?
I've never had to kick out a tenant, but I have had to end relationships, both personal and professional. I feel the situation calls for a similar approach.
Assuming you have the right to terminate ...
- 5,871
8
votes
Accepted
How to tell the leaseholder I won't cover a kicked-out roommates rent
In my written agreement with the leaseholder, it only mentions my room's rent
That answers your question. You don't pay the extra rent for the extra room. When asked why you respond with:
My ...
- 1,985
6
votes
Resident landlord set up webcam in front of door
I know you said to leave the legal aspect aside, but if you are approaching someone to speak about a matter that may have a legal angle you really should know the facts first. Even if you aren't going ...
- 27k
6
votes
How to express my concerns to a potential new landlord?
I'm pretty sure that if you had issues with your landlord, that means there were underlying issues beyond their cooperation. If everything goes well, you really don't need to talk much to your ...
- 161
6
votes
How to tell someone that I am not going to help anymore unless paid
I think the interpersonal skill you are missing is knowing how to decline to answer certain questions and direct the person to asking the right question.
For example, "when will you be home" ...
- 44.2k
5
votes
How to involve the law with minimizing feelings of threatening
Be sincere but remorseful. Hand it in person. Say something like "I know this isn't favorable but I really, really need your dog to stop barking. I'd hate to be a butt but I need you to do something ...
- 659
5
votes
Accepted
Landlord was knocking on my door close to midnight regarding a (minor) complaint (that I had nothing to do with)
I don't think your suggested statement will address your concerns. Your landlord could be justified in knocking on your day late at night in some cases, such as if you're being very noisy. Even if ...
- 5,871
5
votes
Accepted
How to tell landlord that their rent increase is above the legal limit and remain on good terms?
I haven't had to deal with landlords yet, but I have dealt with some legal stuff, both with contractors and something similar to a Home Owner's Association. Also, this approach so far has worked for ...
- 33.8k
4
votes
How to express my concerns to a potential new landlord?
I would like to be sincere and [...] express that I really need the landlord to be reasonable and for us to have a nice cooperation.
So, be sincere :) Tell them. But not in a negative way, talking ...
- 21.9k
4
votes
How do I get my landlord to show some consideration without souring our relationship?
You have two goals, which can be pursued at the same time: getting the landlord to fulfill a legal obligation, and getting the landlord to suit your personal preferences. On both items I think you ...
- 16.3k
4
votes
Accepted
How to ask for landlord's address to be included on lease
I've dealt with many types of landlords in my time. In addition, I am going through a divorce which requires much back and forth over legal issues.
In legal matters, it's always best to be direct and ...
- 923
4
votes
Accepted
How to tell landlord I don't want him showing my room the day before and during my move
Having had several landlords in my life, and you already saying yours is pretty "reasonable" aside from the issue at hand, it is definitely ok to say:
Landlord, I am going to be moving out ...
- 2,472
3
votes
How to express my concerns to a potential new landlord?
Approach it directly, and help yourself avoid experiencing the issues you have had with the previous landlady with one in the future.
... but on the other hand I think that would seem like accusing ...
- 31
3
votes
How to express my concerns to a potential new landlord?
Approach it indirectly:
Ask the new landlord about the overall state of things in the residency and mention things of concern like hot water, cleanliness, lack of pests, etc... > Be sure to cover ...
- 251
3
votes
Accepted
How to ask a host to fix something, they consider due to their lacking knowledge, not flawed?
I think the best approach is to clearly demonstrate to them the problem you are having. If it is a website that you believe it is blocked, take your laptop to them or ask them to come over to your ...
- 499
3
votes
How should I present the idea of doing repairs and minor renovations to my landlord?
TL;DR: Take it slow, do just the stairs for now, and be gentle, honest and confident, and do your best work, and tell them every detail you can about what you can and will do (as long as they say yes)....
- 3,575
3
votes
Accepted
Is it common courtesy to leave a gift behind someone's door?
Background: kind of "old fashion" / "old school" education / "old" man :D with more than 25 years of living in France.
What you call "gift" isn't, stricto sensu, such a thing. I'd rather call that a "...
- 21.9k
3
votes
How to ask a landlord to install air conditioning?
Your first step in building a solid argument is realizing that your landlord does not owe you air conditioning. A/C is an amenity, and so is anything in your apartment that is not due to you by right ...
- 150
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