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Shocking conditions in college-town rental

By Janet Portman, Friday, January 9, 2009.

Q: My son just graduated from college and moved into a basement apartment in the college town. Last week while visiting, I came across pipes in his pantry that were wrapped with deteriorating asbestos -- powder and dust was all around and on the shelf. My son called the owner and it took her two weeks to get someone there to look at it. In addition, the oven coil does not work, the oven is filthy, the bathroom stinks, and the landlady won't do anything. more...

Just say 'no' to light pollution

By Janet Portman, Thursday, January 8, 2009.

Q: I rent an apartment in an area consisting exclusively of apartment buildings. All of the apartment buildings around me, including the giant construction site behind my building, have huge flood lights (without any sort of light shade) along the property perimeters. If I were to open my shades at night, the ambient light is almost enough to read by. Keeping the shades drawn in the summer means that I get practically no fresh air. more...

Military tenant not off the hook for rent

By Janet Portman, Friday, December 26, 2008.

Q: I am a landlord and had a tenant who is in the Army Reserves. He received mobilization orders in February, directing him to appear in June, several months away. My tenant just gave me a verbal notice seven days before he left. He claims he is entitled to a full refund of his deposit because the Army gives some rights to their personnel when they have to be mobilized. I would like to know if this is true and what my options are. --Robert S. more...

Landlord tosses possessions without consent

By Janet Portman, Thursday, December 18, 2008.

Q: We've discovered to our dismay that our former landlord has thrown away many of our belongings, claiming that we abandoned them. Here's what happened: Towards the end of our lease, we traveled out of town to our new home, and told the landlord we'd be returning. We had already moved most of our things, and had placed some remaining furniture and boxes in one room, so that the landlord could get a head start on repainting. When we got back, we found the locks changed. more...

Saving husband, kids from abusive wife

By Janet Portman, Thursday, December 11, 2008.

Q: I have a family in one of my rentals that is experiencing a very rough time -- I think the wife, who has a huge temper, is physically abusing the husband. In fact, the husband wants to move out with the kids, but when he went to the local shelter for victims of domestic violence, he was turned away because he's male. This makes it practically impossible for him to leave, because he doesn't have the finances to set up a separate household. Isn't this unequal treatment against the law? What should I do to help? --Wendy S. more...

Need lodger? Use word of mouth

By Janet Portman, Thursday, December 4, 2008.

Q: I enjoy reading your articles and hope you can give me some information in regards to renting out a room with private bath in the lower level of my home for additional income. I would furnish utilities, washer and dryer, kitchen privileges, storage area if needed, and some furniture. more...

Religious family complicates life for tenants

By Janet Portman, Monday, December 1, 2008.

Q: I live in a large apartment complex, and have as neighbors a family that takes their religion, and its mandate that they spread their faith, very seriously. I'm constantly greeted with blessings and inquiries as to my spiritual condition, and written materials are often left at my door. Even a casual encounter in the elevator or laundry room becomes an opportunity to spread their views. Other tenants in the complex have had the same experience, and we've complained to management. more...

Portable AC units get bad rap

By Janet Portman, Thursday, November 20, 2008.

Q: My daughter rented an apartment where the landlord pays the utilities. It has no air conditioning and she's not allowed to get a portable air conditioner. Is it legal to stipulate this? It can get quite warm in her apartment. --Cathy C. more...

Sex offenders have rental rights too

By Janet Portman, Thursday, November 13, 2008.

Q: One of my neighbors informed me that one of my newest tenants is a registered sex offender (I'm not sure how she found this out). He stated on his rental application that he had a three-year-old felony conviction, but he did not report details. Figuring that everyone deserves a chance, I did not ask further and rented to him and his wife and two young children, giving them a yearlong lease. They've caused no problems. Our local sheriff's department plans to notify the neighbors of his address and criminal history. more...

Gay marriage good for landlords

By Janet Portman, Thursday, November 6, 2008.

Q: I'd like to know if I'm risking a lawsuit if I refuse to rent an apartment to two men who say they are married. I have nothing against gays or lesbians, but I believe that marriage is not appropriate in this situation. These applicants tell me they are legally married (in Massachusetts), and that if I turn them away for this reason, I'm discriminating against married people. In my state, gay and lesbian couples are not allowed to marry, but I understand that in Massachusetts they can do so. What are my rights in this situation? --Anita B. more...

Landlord: Lawyers too risky as tenants

By Janet Portman, Wednesday, October 29, 2008.

Q: My wife and I have been turned down for a home we tried to rent. Our credit is good, our references are excellent, and we make more than three times the monthly rent -- but I'm a lawyer! The landlord told me she won't rent to lawyers, because she's found them to be hard to deal with. Is this illegal discrimination? --Larry L. more...

Tenant: Fumigation justifies rent break

By Janet Portman, Wednesday, October 22, 2008.

Q: I had problems with roaches at my apartment, which came from the neighbor downstairs. They moved out three weeks ago and left a very filthy place, infested with roaches. The manager has been trying to get rid of them, by fumigating constantly. The problem is that my apartment and furniture is impregnated with the smell of the pesticides. My daughter and I have had to leave (the fumes are aggravating her asthma), and we've been away for two weeks (with no sign of when the fogging will stop). more...

'Roommate agreement' kills fraud

By Janet Portman, Wednesday, October 15, 2008.

Q: My son and a couple decided to rent a two-bedroom townhouse. Last month, all three signed the lease, and they each put up one-third of the deposit and one-third of the first month's rent. Now the couple (who share a room) are saying that my son has to pay half the rent because he has his own room. This is not what they originally agreed to among themselves. I believe that since all three are on the lease, they should each pay one-third of the rent. Is my conclusion legally correct? --Jaci J. more...

Golf-course living has its drawbacks

By Janet Portman, Wednesday, October 8, 2008.

Q: We rent a single-family home that's adjacent to a municipal golf course. Unfortunately, along with the views we get a daily barrage of golf balls. They fall in our yard, have dented our car and broken two windows, and I'm afraid to use the pool before sundown. Since we moved in six months ago, I've collected more than 100 balls. I want to break the lease and move, and I'm wondering if I have any legal grounds to do so. --Jack N. more...

Can whistleblowing rental manager be fired?

By Janet Portman, Wednesday, October 1, 2008.

Q: I am a tenant and also the manager for our apartment building. I've just been fired from the manager's job, and given a termination notice, too. Here's what happened: The owner has been refurbishing rental units as they come vacant, having our maintenance crew rip up old floors and repaint. The building is old and I'm certain that the guys are dealing with lead paint and asbestos floor tiles. The owner told me to shut up about it, and for a while I did. But my conscience got the better of me, and I called the local health department, who sent an inspector over. more...

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