Today while washing the cars we were approached by an odd looking gent inquiring our names. Turns out he's the new property manager. He handed us a written response from the land lady and her daughter addressing our letter.
Effective September 1st we will address any concerns/problems to the new manager. He's located about five miles from us and we mail the rent check to him as well. In the response the daughter acknowledged her mother's verbal agreement with us and stated that we should pay the new rent increase in full and separately submit our receipts for the painting.
It's a nice experience to feel heard but the majority of the tenants feel the owner's biding her time until she can safely evict someone. The manager will return tomorrow when everyone's available to sign the new month to month rental agreement.
The rent increase is effective 9/7/06 and after receiving notice last Monday, I spent Tuesday morning composing a letter. No problem because I already knew each tenants concerns.
During a celebration last Tuesday evening, I handed everyone a copy of the letter and solicited their input. Everyone seemed pleased and I requested they think it over and let me know any changes the next day.
Five days later, Punky tells me she wants to make changes. "Fine" I replied, "where's your copy of the letter reflecting your suggestions?"
Blank stare. Nothing was written down. Nothing scribbled on a note pad even. I blew it! After five days of nothing, now she wants to get the letter done that day and because time's imperative, she also wants to email it.
I don't know how she could procrastinate for so long over something she was passionate about. I just do not understand.
Needless to say, the letter is still vaporware, so-to-speak and we're no closer to getting it sent as time continues to march on!
I've spoken with my neighbors and here's the breakdown:
Punky $50
Emmet $70
Sissy $50
Me $70
After listening to everyone and comparing the increases we concluded that the increase was determined by how much was necessary to bring everyone to the same monthly amount.
Everyone's been paying something different for years. The newest tenant always paying the most rent since there is no rent control in my community.
This doesn't change my feelings or make the increase bearable. It simply explains why we have different increase amounts.
We've decided to unite and write one letter stating our dissatisfaction and reiterating the landlady's verbal promise of no rent increase if we complied with painting the interior. We are seeking restitution in the form of September's rent being less to compensate for the painting expenditure.
What do you think, do we have a chance?
After having a rather uneventful Monday and enjoying it as best as one can enjoy the ending of the weekend, I arrived home to find a rent increase notice in my mailbox.
One thing about the landlady, she's totally hit & run. Just yesterday I saw her in the garden and she was very mellow and congenial, I never would've expected an increase on the horizon.
I'm feeling very angry and deceived right now.
Angry at her for deceiving me about not increasing the rent.
Angry at myself for not getting the verbal agreement in writing.
Worried about how the finances will mete out.
Angry about all the effort, time, money and sweat expended on painting three rooms in the house. Three rooms that had I known a $100 rent increase was imminent, I would've told the landlady to paint.
What a lousy ending to an otherwise great Monday.
I'm going for a walk. I need to let off steam!
Did I mention she resides in the same complex? Of course, she's gone right now so it's not like I can let her have it!!