Bizarre (and unethical?) landlord situation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is actually sounding to me like there is nothing forbidding their use of the garage, based on OPs second comment.

Like they just signed a lease for a house, but the realtor said to them "oh and the owner might stay in the garage from time to time" without that being written in any sort of documentation.

If there is no actual documentation giving the landlord the right to use the garage, then this is a pretty clear breach of contract and I would be getting out of the situation ASAP.

If the realtor is legitimate, it’s spelled out in the lease terms. That’s what has to be done for the lease to be enforceable.

[Anonymous]

OP, if I were this landlord and you asked to get out of your lease because you didn’t understand the lease when you signed it, I’d let you out.

You have to be able to show damages to file a claim even in small claims court. Material damages. Not understanding your lease is not a material damage.

This is exactly why I never house hack but I know many people that do. Be sure to tell your next realtor that you are not open to house hacking situations. Your rent will be higher if you are only open to single family homes.

[Anonymous]

And don’t look in DC proper. This is a very common situation there. A lot of locals prefer it to renting from an absentee landlord who lets the property fall apart. Fyi

[Anonymous]

You could probably break the lease and have the leverage to not pay penalties.

Thinking you’ll be able to have the owner move out or somehow get damages from anyone is quixotic.

[Anonymous]

Threes company, I Love Lucy, One Day at a time, when you rent the owner or super is always around. Buy a house

[Anonymous]

Any update, OP?

[Anonymous]

Op, ask them to move or accept the situation. You can't control how much he would stay in his own part of the house that is not under the lease.

[Anonymous]

Fred Mertz and Mr. Roper

[Anonymous]

You are renting the house not the garage / apartment. No recourse, you can break the lease and pay penalties. It would be like renting an apartment and demanding the next door apartment be vacant

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are renting the house not the garage / apartment. No recourse, you can break the lease and pay penalties. It would be like renting an apartment and demanding the next door apartment be vacant

I also find it funny you are complaining that he's doing all the yard maintenance and keeping up the property, wow that's actually a major plus, would you rather pay for someone to do it?

[Anonymous]

Op is controlling and doesn't understand boundaries.

[Anonymous]

This is nuts op! Feels like they knew they were running a scam before they rented to you. I would call landlord and tenants office in your county. I would also put a shoe box outside for his mail so he doesn't have to bother you 1-2X a week, I would NOT let him in that often, doesn't your lease say he has to give notice 24-48 of entry unless it's a water leak or emergency? What does the lease say? Lastly tell him you will take care of the lawn to keep him out of the back yard. While all this is happening (the boundaries established) I would be dealing with the county, or lawyers AND leave a negative review for that lying realtor who KNEW this was going to be an issue.