tenant rights

From the Forum – Notice to vacate a lease after initial term as a co-signer

By Prince Of Petworth

13892855753_7d8727a4b7_z
Photo by PoPville flickr user Hopadidl

Notice to vacate a lease after initial term as a co-signer:

“I’m cosigned on a lease and after the initial term ended we are on month to month. I told my roommate 2 months ago that I was moving so he needed to find someone to take over the lease. He has made absolutely no progress in finding a new roommate so I am starting to worry. The lease says: …The lease automatically extends beyond the Initial Term on a month to month basis unless a party gives a termination notice as described under section 5. I would interpret “a party” to mean that I can give notice myself, and the month to month agreement would be over in 30 days, and we would have to vacate the apartment. The leasing office has continuously told me that I need my roommates signature to give the notice. This seems weird to me because what if my roommate refuses to sign the notice FOREVER?!? Not saying this would happen, I just need to know my rights because I feel that I’m being misinformed, trapped and need to find a way out. I should also mention there is a clause in the lease that I am jointly and severally liable for all obligations of the lease.”

You can see all forum topics and add your own here.   If you are having trouble uploading your question to the forum please try clearing your cache. If it still doesn’t work please email me at princeofpetworth(at)gmail

From the Forum – Sun tunnels or sun tubes in row house? Free Air Tub, and Tenant Rights in Regard to Neighbor Construction

By Prince Of Petworth

popville_forum_topics
Photo by PoPville flickr user BrookeShannonRussell

Sun tunnels or sun tubes in row house?

“Has anyone installed sun tunnels or sun tubes to give more light on the first floor of a row house? If so, are there any companies you can recommend, and give an estimate of cost?”

Air tub – Free:

“I have this cool tub Bain ultra essencia 6838 that I want to give to one of your readers for free. The person has to be someone who appreciates contemporary renovation and is planning to do some work for their own place. This air tub retails for 7500, but I bought it for a little under that price. It had a little defect and leaked after the first use (pictured). I received a replacement tub and have been enjoying it ever since. My brief investigation indicates that there is a hole near one of the connections, and it could possibly be fixed easily by the right handyman and material. If one of your readers are looking to renovate a bathroom for their house and is interested in an air tub it could be theirs. I am not selling the tub and this is equivalent as putting it on the sidewalk for someone to take away, and whoever ends up taking it assumes all responsibility for fixing the leak problem before attempting to use it to prevent water damage to their house. I am so sad to let it go since it is an amazing, expensive tub, but I just don’t have the place to store it for my next bathroom renovation and or for potential next house, so instead of crowding my garage space I would like to see it grace someone else’s bathroom.

The air motor comes separate and I am planning in keeping it as a spare part for my existing tub, but if you offer me an attractive amount, I might just accept your offer for the motor (brand new) and the remote control assembly (brand new), as it could help me with the extra cost the leaked tub created. Attached are pictures to show you the possibilities with this tub.

Fully connected, it has air massage feature 10% – 100% intensity, Chromatherapy LED lights, heated headrest, and more.”

Tenant Rights in Regard to Neighbor Construction:

“I rent the basement of a Capitol Hill rowhouse, and I often work from home. I signed my lease in August 2013, which will run through Sept 30, 2014. In the fall, I learned my next door neighbors are planning to do a complete renovation and adding on 2,000 sq ft in the rear. They will not be able to live there, so they are moving out when construction starts in May or June.

I share a wall with this house, and to this point I can hear anything that happens just outside my doors, and sometimes I hear their toddler running across the house. Clearly, I’m worried about how bad the noise will get when this starts. I’m sure that will not be the only issue, but that’s my main concern at the moment.

Do I have any rights regarding terminating my lease if it gets bad enough? How much inconvenience and noise pollution should I expect to put up with? All of it through the end of my lease?

Further info that could potentially influence things: The house on the other side will go on the market any day now, and it has not been renovated in decades, if ever. Neighbors are speculating that it will also undergo renovation, but there aren’t known plans for this now.”

You can see all forum topics and add your own here.   If you are having trouble uploading your question to the forum please try clearing your cache. If it still doesn’t work please email me at princeofpetworth(at)gmail

Dear PoPville – More Smoking Problems

By Prince Of Petworth

smoking
Photo by PoPville flickr user johnmcochran2012

“Dear PoPville,

I’ve been living in a small, 4-unit, apartment building in Mount Pleasant for four years. At times over the last four years, myself and two of the three other units have worked to address the smoking of the 4th resident. This individual is a bit agoraphobic, avoiding all contact with neighbors, no matter the time of day. We are an otherwise friendly and sociable community. But the “other” resident is a heavy indoor smoker, preferring to smoke with the windows closed!

In addition to the utterly foul stench that permeates the hallway, the smoke filters into the other three apartments. It’s really bad. I’m recently recovering from radiation treatment, and the smell of smoke is more than I can stand.

We have all addressed the smoke problem with our landlord, a small private company, over the course of the years to no avail. What recourse do we have, if any, to take action against this individual to get him to stop smoking indoors. It’s a very small building, so it’s very noticeable when he smokes.

Any advice from the PoPville community would be immensely helpful. Thanks!”

Ed. Note: Last week we spoke about a similar situation in a condo.

Dear PoPville – Do Apartment Building Windows Have to be able to Open?

By Prince Of Petworth

13097895353_1ce4dce359_z
Photo by PoPville flickr user thisisbossi

“Dear PoPville,

Does DC have any laws for rental properties regarding how much windows have to open and air flow? I’ve recently moved into a studio that I love but I only have one opening window and it only opens a sliver. I barely get any moving air or temperature change.”

Interesting question – anyone know if there are any regulations for windows opening?

Dear PoPville – My Landlord is a Slumlord

By Prince Of Petworth

12422558713_7f3d81c5af_z
Photo by PoPville flickr user number7cloud

“Dear PoPville,

I am currently living in an apartment managed by a slumlord in northwest DC. In less than a year I’ve experienced numerous housing code violations, multiple rodent infestations (including a raccoon), and a ceiling that caved in at one point. I’ve talked to neighbors who have the same landlord and they have had similar issues with their units.

I am worried about retaliation but want to stand up to the landlord. The landlord preys on people who don’t have the means, financial or time, to challenge him.

What steps have people taken against negligent landlords in DC? I’ve looked into DCRA housing inspections — what comes next? I know there are also tenant petitions and small claims court. I’d be interested to know what your readers have done to stand up for their legal rights as tenants and how they succeeded.”

Be sure to check with the Office of the Tenant Advocate.

Dear PoPville – New home-owner being smoked out

By Prince Of Petworth

8737582893_926cf29fcb_z
Photo by PoPville flickr user johnmcochran2012

“Dear PoPville,

I recently purchased a condo near Brookland. I’ve lived there for just about a month and this past weekend the new owners below me moved in. Great for them! However, they are both chain smokers. I live with my 9 year old and long-time partner who is asthmatic. The smell of cigarettes has taken over my home. We cannot eat at the dining table, we can’t turn on the heat because it makes the smell stronger, we wash up in the kitchen because we can taste it in the bathroom. My family is miserable.

My partner spoke with the lady in the unit who thinks that scented air-filters are a reasonable solution. She obviously is unaware of how pungent cigarettes are. I realize it is her property and she is free to do as she pleases but her actions are directly affecting my home; It’s an absolute nuisance. What can I do to make my condo board take action? Do I have any rights?

Please note that I have a HEPA filter and UV air purifier in addition to indivual filters on ALL of my vents. Also, air freshners on vents and in rooms. I’m not only concerned about the smell but my daughter’s health. She’s having trouble breathing and getting warm at night since we cannot use heater. They’re habit is costing me more than just money.”

From the Forum – Owner re-occupying my apartment — when does the 90 day clock start?

By Prince Of Petworth

12886994135_528d2efd0c_z
Photo by PoPville flickr user brunofish

Owner re-occupying my apartment — when does the 90 day clock start?

“Hey folks, I have what I think is a quick question. The owner of my unit who I am renting from has sold the unit. The new owner is going to move in themselves, so they are giving me 90 days notice to vacate. (I’ve already waived my right of first refusal, we don’t want to buy the place ourselves.)

My question is, when does that 90 day clock start? When the sale closes and is final, or some time before? The new owner has said I have until May 31 to leave, but he doesn’t expect the sale to close until March 31, which would seem to indicate I have until the end of June, not end of May, for my 90 days.

So, when does the clock start on this? Thanks!”

You can see all forum topics and add your own here.   If you are having trouble uploading your question to the forum please try clearing your cache. If it still doesn’t work please email me at princeofpetworth(at)gmail

Dear PoPville – Do the Producers of this Provocative TENAC Sign really Represent ALL DC Tenants?

By Prince Of Petworth

tenac_provacative_sign

“Dear PoPville,

This sign is hanging at a well trafficked bus stop right in front of the Potomac Ave metro on Pennsylvania Ave, SE. Whether or not you agree with the message, I find the group that posted it interesting. From what I know, TENAC typically & primarily deals with tenants rights in DC; this seems to be a departure from their stated message/purpose. The statement at the bottom, “representing all DC tenants,” certainly gives the impression of much weight behind the sentiment.

I haven’t been a renter for quite a few years & find myself wondering if this group really does have the support & voice of tenants? Is TENAC changing its focus?”

Their mission statement says:

TENAC is a non-profit, public service organization dedicated exclusively to tenant interests, tenant rights, and support for rent control in the District of Columbia. We are the only city-wide tenants organization, and we represent all tenants in the District of Columbia.

As a legal successor to the Tenants’ Organizations Political Action Committee (TOPAC), we have been serving tenants for almost 15 years. TENAC’s mission is to assist tenants through education, legal information, and lobbying for tenant legislation- especially affordable housing and tenants’ rights. TENAC prepares legislative proposals on behalf of tenants, and testifies frequently before the City Council on matters of vital interest to tenants. Of critical importance is TENAC’s HOTLINE (202-628-3688), which answers landlord/tenant questions, and TENAC’s role in helping tenants to form tenant associations throughout the city. TENAC believes that tenants in unorganized rental buildings are open for abuse by landlords, rental agents, and owners. We will not rest until we see a tenants’ association in every rental building in the city.

The sign, if it is indeed TENAC approved, is certainly an interesting departure from that mission…

Dear PoPville – Has Anyone Ever Successfully Re-negotiated Lower Rent?

By Prince Of Petworth

12655772153_b8c3519ab2_z
Photo by PoPville flickr user Beau Finley

“Dear PoPville,

My lease ends this year, and I want negotiate a lower rent. How do I go about doing that?

Background: I live in a large, older apartment building near the 14th St corridor. The building is ok: great staff and neighbors, but aging infrastructure (read: lots of intrusive utility repairs) and pretty much no amenities. Since the beginning of my lease, a half dozen new apartment and condo buildings have opened nearby, with several more on the way. There isn’t just more inventory available — all the new buildings are qualitatively better, and only slightly more expensive than what I’m paying now (let’s call it the $2000 – $2150 range). My lease ends this year, at which point I go month-to-month.

Data: I’ve noticed more empty units in my building lately. Some floorplans are renting for $100-$200 less than when I moved in. I am aware that the marginal costs are in their favor if they choose to balk (moving expenses dis-incentivize me, while someone else’s fresh move-in deposit would cover some of their lost monthly revenue), but the market will only trend down for them and they may want to lock into the highest revenue stream they can get right now. I’m pretty sure that I’m paying slightly more ($100-$150 more) for my unit than the building management is getting on the market right now, so I’d like to meet them in the middle and ask for $50-$75 less each month.

Question: Has anyone successfully re-negotiated a lower rent for their lease? If so, how did you go about doing it?”

From the Forum – Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA)

By Prince Of Petworth

topa_dc
Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA):

“So I’ve recently learned that my landlord is seeking to sell and that there is this thing called the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, or TOPA, which gives current tenants the right of first refusal and the right to express an interest in buying the place building before a landlord can solicit offers from non-tenants.

Has anyone had any experience with this? I expect eventually I’ll need to talk to an attorney, but I am interested in how one goes about finding potential third-party investors to pool capital. I understand that one think TOPA permits is the assigning of the right of first refusal and that sometimes tenants work out a shared ownership deal in exchange for assigning the right.

Any personal experiences out there?”

You can see all forum topics and add your own here. If you are having trouble uploading your question to the forum please try clearing your cache. If it still doesn’t work please email me at princeofpetworth(at)gmail

View More Stories