AIBU?
is my landlord taking the piss?
Kungfutea · 22/06/2013 14:26
We rented a house with a storage room in the basement. We use it a bit but still plenty of room. Our landlord emailed and TOLD us that he will be coming to use the storage room. We were a bit 
that he stated a fact and didn't ask but in the spirit of good relations we agreed, assuming he would be using it for his own personal items.
He turns up with a friend whose things he will be storing. He was basically showing her the space. Then he tells her that if her things don't fit in the storage room, she can put things in the garage. THey're planning to bring these things next week.
I'm not sure of the nature of the relationship with this friend but it sounded very business like. I'm also not happy about him offering the garage (and TELLING us he will do so) as we often put the car in when we're away, the kids are in and out with their bikes and scooters etc, the gardening stuff is in there.
AIBU not to be happy about this? I checked the lease, not a word about landlord having the right to use the house for storage.
If the landlord ASKED to store some personal items in the storage room, that'd be OK. But to let someone else use it and then offer them use of our garage, that's taking the piss, right?
I don't think IABU but my landlord seems to think he's entitled to all of this as it's his house!
Kungfutea · 22/06/2013 14:30
Covers everything. We're paying enough money! It rankled a bit that he didn't even ask or act like we were doing a favor to begin with. But to start allowing friends to store items? I suspect he's renting out the storage space.
I just sent him an email asking what the nature of this relationship is and that we're not happy about use of the garage.
ChippingInWiredOnCoffee · 22/06/2013 14:35
It will be interesting to see what he says. If I were you I'd have worded the email much more strongly.
He is completely in the wrong here - you are renting the entire place - including the storage area & garage. Either tell him to come and remove the stuff or tell him you will be paying xx less due to storing his/his friends stuff.
Kungfutea · 22/06/2013 14:37
I want to keep good relations though so trying to handle this diplomatically. We really don't mind him putting some personal things in the storage room but he's acting like it's a right not a favor on our part.
He's not a bad landlord in other ways although always moans to us how much things cost - ignoring that we pay him $5500 a month!
WeAreEternal · 22/06/2013 14:49
I would drag every unused piece of furniture into the store room and fill it with my own stuff, I would then keep the car in the garage at all times I was not driving it.
And I would contact the LL to say that you are sorry but you've being loaned some new furniture by a friend so need use the store room for your own items.
I am a LL and would never consider this.
You pay to rent the house, in the US that means the house is yours to do with as you please, your LL has no right to dictate use of your home.
missuswife · 22/06/2013 14:59
Owner Entry
In New York City, owners may enter a tenant's apartment for three general reasons: emergency repairs, non-emergency repairs or improvements, and apartment inspections. Emergency repair requires no advance notice to the tenant. However, access for non-emergency repairs and improvements requires a minimum of one week's advance written notice, and access for inspection requires a minimum of 24 hours advance written notice.
www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/html/tenants/tenantsrights.shtml
If you decide you want legal advice, my sister might know someone in your area.
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