Harresing Landlord

[missey71]

I need HELP! I rent a house and on the last day of the month my landlord either comes knockin on my door or calls me at work asking me if I have the rent. My rent is not due until the first of the month and in my lease it states that I have until the 5th until I accrue any late fees. Today he told my boyfriend that when I pay hime Thursday that I owe him late fees. I don't understand because Thursday is only the 4th. Is there anything I can do about this because I can not live like this I am about to have a nervous breakdown. I should not have to be in fear of the end of the month. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP!

 

[presutin]

Rent - The fact that you have up to the 5th of the month to pay without penalties does not change the rent due date. Tell your landlord that you will present the check when rent is due - on the 1st. Late fees - you are right, late fees only incurr after the 5th so you should not be paying for those. Harassment - Tell your landlord that he is crossing a fine line when it comes to directly collecting from you since those are not the terms of you lease agreement. Inform him that you will be sending a check, via mail, with the payment but if he continues to harass you, that you have legal ways to prevent this from happening. Hope this helps!

 

[missey71]

That does help a bit but I just want to make sure am I right that he does not even have the right to ask for it before the due date. For example today is the 31st of the month and he is knocking on the door today for the rent. That just is not right.

 

[presutin]

That is when you tell him that if he continues, you will have to call the authorities because of the harassment. Is that simple. If this becomes an issue, then send him a cease and desist letter so he knows that he is to stop immediately with this behavior and, if he still continues, press charges against him. The fact that he owns the property does not give him free access to the house at any time he feels like it is time to receive the rent and entitles him to harass you. Good Luck to you!

 

[missey71]

The other part of this that ways on me quite a bit is that when he talks to my boyfriend he alway hounds him about finding a job. Is that not also harrassment because as long as he gets his rent he should not be concerned about the fact he doesn't have a job right?

 

[presutin]

That is right.

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

Does your landlord pick up the rent or do you mail it to him?

I pick up the rent from my tenants because I have one who pays cash and the others find that my stopping by (I live close to the rentals) saves them a stamp. I can also check to see if the HVAC filters need changing and if the batteries in the smoke detectors still work.

Have you been late on your rent and this is a concern for your landlord?

I'm not sure if one phone call a month would be classified as harassment in any court or why such a call should lead you toward a nervous breakdown but you can tell him that there's no need to check on you as the rent will be paid on time.

Gail