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Thread: What Could My Landlord/Property Manager Do?

  1. #1
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    Default What Could My Landlord/Property Manager Do?

    Hey, I hope this is the right area for this....

    So in April I moved into a lovely new apartment with 9 huge windows for plenty of natural sunlight. The apartment is on the ground floor and is at the very front of the building. So, all of my windows are at eye-level to pedestrians and the street. The unit came with standard blinds in each window, but the blinds are not sufficient. Anyone sitting outside at night can still see fairly well into my home, and being a single female - it really unsettles me.

    I want to put up drapes but my lease specifically states I'm not allowed to hang up, put up. or attach anything to the walls (there are several rules, but no penalty for breaking rules is outlined in the lease except for rules concerning timely payment of rent). Curtain rod hardware would obviously conflict with this. I don't mind putting putty and painting over the holes upon move out (which is something I know how to do very well), and I don't mind losing my security deposit even after puttying as a penalty for making the holes in the first place, I just am worried about potentially needing the property manager to come in for a repair or something like that and she sees the curtains - could she issue me any sort of fine then? Or could she even evict me on the spot for breach of contract? I'm in Louisiana, if that helps.

    I'd also really, really like to paint the walls (again - no problem with repainting once my lease is up) and am worried about it being seen between now and when I'd be repainting and what would/could happen. I tried asking my property manager about this before and even offered to add an additional amount to my initial security deposit - but she just ignored me (...?). And yes, I've looked into peel and stick options and its just been a headache and a waste of money - I'm very much leaning towards taking my chances with painting. (I've already tried 2, but the "best" peel and stick option would not even be the right color and would cost me $1200+; while losing my security deposit from painting would cost me $700)

    Everything else about the apartment is - thus far - perfect. Plus its in a very competitive location and rent is about $300+ cheaper then anything comparable in the area and its a top to bottom new renovation. I'm the first tenant to live here, which I like. I intend to live here atleast until I finish undergraduate, so I'm in this for the long-haul.

    I guess my overall money related question is - can landlords and property managers actually penalize you for changes you make to your home during the course of your lease? Or can they only hold you accountable to the state the apartment is in once you return the keys vs the state it was in when they gave said keys to you?


  2. #2
    God/dess shanna dior's Avatar
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    Default Re: What Could My Landlord/Property Manager Do?

    Why don't you just ask your landlord? If you state your reasoning - especially since you have a female landlord - I'm sure she'd approve your request for drapes to make you feel safe in your own home. Same with paint. If they ignore you (wtf?) then simply ask again in person so they can't very well ignore you.

    As far as I know, the only penalty for breaking terms in your lease like that is that you lose your deposit. I would still check with the landlord. You don't want them finding out you've made all these changes to your apartment when you've called them over to help you with a serious issue, yanno?

  3. #3
    Banned Melonie's Avatar
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    Default Re: What Could My Landlord/Property Manager Do?

    ^^^ Mostly agree with Shanna Dior's assessment. The major concern over adding curtain rods is what to do to cover the holes if you remove them. If you were willing to 'leave them behind' if / when you move out, the issue becomes a non-issue.

    Also more or less agreed that the maximum downside for you re painting and adding curtain rods would probably be the total loss of your security deposit. With lots of landlords this is a 'given' anyhow !!! If your landlord attempted to recover additional moneys beyond the security deposit, it would require at minimum filing a case in small claims court ... where a judge would undoubtedly be extremely understanding in regard to a beautiful young girl being 'ogled' by fellow tenants through inadequate blinds provided by the landlord plus a supposed edict from the landlord that installation of curtains is not permitted. If the landlord is foolish enough to attempt such a suit, it could be YOU and not the landlord that walks away with additional money !!!

  4. #4
    Veteran Member kermit210's Avatar
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    Default Re: What Could My Landlord/Property Manager Do?

    Is it possible to hang curtains up with tension rods, or attach the curtains to the existing hardware for the blinds? Neither solution is the most home-beautiful, but would negate any possible landlord/deposit drama.
    I propose a toast - to my self control.... I see you crawling, helpless, on the floor.......
    -Mark Sandman

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    Default Re: What Could My Landlord/Property Manager Do?

    I am a landlord in PA and was raised in a Massachusetts realty management Household. So I know a tenant centered state (MA) and a balanced state (PA)

    Basically, if you change or damage your apartment beyond what's considered "reasonable wear and tear" ... small holes or understandable marks on the walls and such...it (may or may not) come out of your security deposit depending on the landlord. pretty much if it's reasonable, I ignore it and don't bill for it. I send the tenant a security deposit settlement statement and check in certified mail, within 30 days

    but not 400 pictureholes on every wall...not for a bad tenant....

    Leaving lease early is HUGE different thing because the penalty CAN BE BIGGER. Like "pay your rent to the end of the lease;;Now...in control

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    Default Re: What Could My Landlord/Property Manager Do?

    Thank you!


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    God/dess Zofia's Avatar
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    Default Re: What Could My Landlord/Property Manager Do?

    Also, depending on the state you live in, the landlord may have to itemize the damages in a certain time or refund the entire security deposit.

    HTH
    Z

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    Featured Member kandie_kitten's Avatar
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    Default Re: What Could My Landlord/Property Manager Do?

    Check with your landlord. I had an old landlord from hell. I hung curtains when I wasn't supposed too, and she charged me a fine per day. I tried fighting it, (I hung them for similar reasons...first floor, single female, etc) and it made no difference, so definitely check before you start hanging drapes.

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