Chapter 16. Landlords and Real Estate
Asking return of security deposit
Peter Martin
Rolling Meadow
Dear Mr. Martin,
It has been sixty days since I vacated Apartment 8 at 39 Pine Street at the conclusion of my lease.
According to the terms of the contract, I was to receive a refund of the security deposit, plus interest, within thirty days after moving out of the apartment. I have also checked with the town housing department, and they inform me that state law also requires return of deposits in that same thirty-day period.
As you know, you accompanied me on an inspection of the property on the day we moved out of the apartment, and you told me then that there was no chargeable damage and that I would receive a full refund.
Please send the check to me at my new address, listed on the letterhead above.
Sincerely,
Janice Sullivan
Asking reduction in apartment rent
Rental Office
Rolling Meadow Garden Apartments
I have received the proposed renewal lease for my unit at Rolling Meadow Garden Apartments.
I have to say that I was shocked to see a 20 percent increase in the monthly rent. I find it hard to understand why such a substantial increase would be asked, especially when there are many empty apartments in the complex.
As you know, I have lived here for four years. I have never missed a rent payment, and I believe I have been a model tenant in all other ways. I would like to continue to live here.
I am asking that you redraw the lease so that the rate does not increase for the coming year. I am willing to commit to living here for another year but not to paying 20 percent more.
I don’t want to move, but if I must I will. At the same time, I’m sure you don’t want to see another empty and nonrevenue-generating apartment. I look forward to hearing from you soon with a revised lease.
Sincerely,
Kurt Myers
Asking landlord to trade services for rent
Lloyd Hagen
Rolling Meadow
Dear Mr. Hagen,
As you know, I have been a tenant in the house you own on Broad Street for the past two years. I have been quite happy with my apartment, and I believe I have been a good tenant.
Unfortunately, I have just been laid off from my job. I am looking for other employment in the area, and I expect I will find new work within the coming months.
Until I find a new job, I would like to see if there is a way I could reduce some or all of my monthly rent by performing services for you at the house. I am a capable landscaper and painter, and I would be happy to do whatever jobs around the house you would ask.
I would appreciate hearing from you soon.
Thank you.
Steven Abbott
Asking landlord for early snow removal
Lloyd Hagen
Rolling Meadow
Dear Mr. Hagen,
I am writing to request you make arrangements for early morning snowplowing at Lakeview Apartments.
As you know, we have had a series of storms this winter, and on at least three occasions the parking lot was not plowed until after 9 a.m. even though the streets had been cleared during the night.
Most of us living at your apartment complex have to be at work very early in the morning. The fact that the lots are not plowed makes it difficult and dangerous for us to get to work by car.
I would appreciate it if you would ask the contractor you use to clear the lots to come by the apartments by 7 a.m. on snow days.
Thank you.
Joseph O’Brien
Asking landlord to complete repairs
Mr. Russell Cosgrove
Lake View Apartments
Rolling Meadow
Dear Mr. Cosgrove,
I moved into Rolling Meadow Apartments three weeks ago. At that time I brought to the attention of your building superintendent, Sharon Ross, a list of items that needed attention.
I noted a torn patio door screen, a leaky faucet in the bathroom, and a significant stain on the living room carpet. Each of these were noted on the inspection form that Ms. Ross and I signed on the day I moved in.
I was assured that this work would be accomplished within the first week of my tenancy. That has not happened.
Ms. Ross has repeatedly promised me that the apartment will be tended to, but as of today the problems remain.
I intend to be a very good tenant, and I do not want to cause any problems. However, I must insist that these three jobs be completed immediately.
Sincerely,
Terry Foley
Complaint to landlord about safety
James Clemens
Rolling Meadow
Dear Mr. Clemens,
In regards to my apartment at 69 Spruce Street, I am writing to formally notify you of a serious safety issue that has to be dealt with immediately.
The banister on the stairs in the front of the building is dangerously loose, nearly detached from the porch. Our local postal carrier has already informed all of the tenants that he will no longer climb the stairs to deliver mail, and instead we must visit the post office each day.
This is not only an inconvenience and a danger but also a liability risk for you as the owner of the house.
I feel that I have been a model tenant, and I am otherwise generally satisfied with my apartment. However, I must insist that repairs be done immediately.
Thank you.
Will Simon
Follow-up complaint to landlord
James Clemens
Rolling Meadow
Dear Mr. Clemens,
It has been ten days since I notified you of the loose railing at the apartment building you own on Spruce Street. No repair work has been done.
I do not want to cause trouble, but I must insist that the apartment be made safe for tenants and visitors. I have contacted the housing authority, and they inform me that if your tenants file a formal complaint, the housing authority will take over the collection of rent and hold it under escrow. If the work is not done within forty-eight hours after that, the authority will hire a contractor to make the repair and any others their inspectors deem necessary.
As a courtesy, I will wait two days before filing paperwork with the housing authority to allow you to have the work done.
I hope you will give this matter your highest priority.
Sincerely,
Will Simon
Notifying renter of nonrenewal of lease
Cathy Kay Keating
Rolling Meadow
Dear Cathy,
On behalf of our family we want to thank you for your kind words about my mother. We also want to thank you for being a good tenant for all these years in the first-floor apartment of her house.
At this time, though, I am sorry to have to inform you that we will not be renewing your lease when it comes to an end on December 31. We have decided to use both floors of the house as apartments for family members who live in the area.
We wanted to let you know of our decision as quickly as possible to allow you ample time to find another place to live.
Please continue to make your rent payments as before. Feel free to call me at any time if I can be of help. In any case, we will be in touch on December 1 to confirm your moving date and to arrange an inspection of the premises.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Julia Brennan
Landlord not renewing lease
Sandra Davis
Rolling Meadow
Dear Ms. Davis,
As the end of your current lease approaches, I am writing to notify you that I will not be offering you a new contract.
We have decided to convert the home from its present configuration of two one-floor rental units into a single-family home that will be occupied by a family member.
You have been a good tenant, and I will be happy to provide references if you require them. Under the terms of the current lease, I am giving you the required two-months notice and asking you vacate the apartment by October 31.
Sincerely,
George Lester
Landlord threatening to terminate lease
Cynthia Edwards
19 Spruce Street
Apartment 3
Rolling Meadow
Dear Ms. Edwards,
It has come to my attention that you are keeping a dog in your apartment. We have received several complaints from other tenants about barking.
Under terms of your rental agreement, dogs and cats are not permitted in any unit. We do this in order to protect the right to quiet enjoyment by other tenants of their apartments and to avoid damage caused by pets to the premises.
I am asking you immediately find another home for the animal. Under terms of the lease, I am notifying you that we will conduct an inspection of your apartment within the next five days and reserve the right to inspect again on short notice to assure there are no further violations of the lease.
Failure to comply with the terms will cause us to terminate the lease and seek a court’s assistance in collecting the full outstanding balance for the five months remaining under the contract, as well as retaining funds from your security deposit to pay for repair of any damage to the apartment.
Thank you.
Vincent Monroe
To landlord about barking dog
Vincent Monroe
Rolling Meadow
Dear Mr. Monroe,
I want to apologize and explain the dog-barking incident some of my neighbors complained of last week.
My sister was visiting me for a few days, and when making plans for her stay she never mentioned she was bringing her dog.
As soon as she arrived, I asked her to make arrangements to put the dog in a kennel. However, because of the holiday it took three days before the dog could be moved out.
Again, please accept my apology. This will not happen again.
Sincerely,
Jessica Reynolds
Landlord threatening eviction
Dennis Manning
Apt. 3
Rolling Meadow Apartments
Dear Mr. Manning,
I am writing to formally notify you of a serious violation of your lease for the above-referenced apartment.
For the past several weeks I have found uncovered garbage in the front yard of the house you rent. This represents a violation of the city health code, which requires all refuse to be placed in closed containers.
I draw your attention to Section VI, Paragraph 4 of the lease in which you agree to take care that garbage is properly handled to avoid attracting pests.
If this situation continues, I will hire a garbage company to remove the material and perform such other tasks as are necessary to meet the health code; the cost of such services will be deducted from your security deposit. At the same time, I will move to immediately terminate your lease.
I trust this situation will not continue. If you have any questions about the lease or your obligations under the contract, please contact me immediately.
Victor Millar
Response to landlord warning about trash
Vincent Millar
Rolling Meadow
Dear Mr. Millar,
I received your warning about the trash left outside my apartment last week.
Please accept my apology; I assure you it will not happen again. I had to leave town for a family emergency and a friend of mine was watching my apartment while I was away. In my haste to leave, I neglected to fully inform him of the rules.
Sincerely,
Dennis Manning
Landlord claims damage by renters
Michael and Martha Randolph
Dear Michael and Martha,
We hope you had a spectacular time at our house on Mirror Pond.
As you know, we don’t often rent the house; it is a very special place and is decorated with many antiques and family heirlooms. We discussed these items when we showed you the house and asked they not be used by renters.
When we checked the house after your departure we noticed chips in four of the Waterford Crystal wine goblets. We also cannot locate the stopper to the Grafton Street decanter that is kept in the same cabinet.
I have enclosed a statement from a reputable department store showing the replacement costs of these items.
We have deducted this amount from the security deposit you provided and are forwarding a check for the remainder to you.
Sincerely,
Andrea Quinn
Informing landlord of death of tenant
Simon Youkilis, manager
Rolling Meadow Realty
Rolling Meadow
Dear Mr. Youkilis,
I am writing to inform you that my mother, Mary Barker, passed away last week.
Under terms of the rental agreement she signed with you for apartment 68 at 101 Southbury Road, the contract is therefore automatically voided at the end of this month.
As executor of her estate and under power of attorney, I will be visiting the apartment on March 15 to remove her possessions. At that time I would like to meet with you to conduct an inspection of the property and to arrange for the return of her security deposit to her estate.
We appreciate the consideration you showed my mother over the years.
Sincerely,
Sandra Jennings
Asking to break lease because of illness
Susan Rider, Property Manager
Spruce Street Apartments
Rolling Meadow
Dear Ms. Rider,
My wife and I have lived at the Spruce Street Apartments for the past twelve years. As you know, we recently renewed our lease with plans to stay for another year.
In recent weeks my wife’s health has taken a dramatic turn for the worse, and it is now apparent that we must move to an assisted-living facility where she can receive the help she needs.
As longtime residents, I am writing to ask that we be released from the new lease.
It would be a substantial hardship on us to pay for this apartment as well as an assisted-living facility. We would very much appreciate your consideration for us in this difficult time.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Henry Martin
Notifying renter of transfer of ownership
Mr. Charles Powell
Rolling Meadow
Dear Mr. Powell,
Since the death of my mother, I have not had the opportunity to thank you for your kind words at her funeral; I will miss her very much.
I also wanted to let you know the status of her house where you rent an apartment.
The home will stay in the family for the time being. As executor of her estate, please continue to make payments as before. Make the check payable to me, at the address on the letterhead.
We will be clearing my mother’s possessions from the upper floor, and we expect to offer those rooms for rent soon.
I am giving notice now that effective May 1, sixty days from now, the rent for your apartment will be increased to $700 per month. The rate has not been increased for at least five years and we feel this is an appropriate price.
My mother enjoyed having you as a tenant and we hope that relationship will continue.
Sincerely,
Julia Brennan
Offering to sell home to tenant
Mr. Charles Powell
Rolling Meadow
Dear Mr. Powell,
I want to thank you again for your kind words about my mother. She always thought highly of you as a tenant, and we were happy to have you living downstairs from her in case of an emergency.
Now that we have begun the process of dealing with my mother’s estate, I wanted to let you know the status of her house. We have decided as a family to put the property on the market; all of us live a considerable distance away and do not want the responsibilities of being landlords.
If we do sell the home to a new buyer, there is no guarantee you will be able to continue renting your apartment. But we will certainly let the new owner know that you have been an excellent tenant.
Before we list the house with a real estate agent, though, we wanted to find out if you had any interest in buying the property yourself. We would certainly be happy to consider an offer based on a reasonable discount from the market value because of savings we would realize in real estate agency commissions and other costs.
As you know, the house is a very desirable rental property, and the cost of a mortgage would be offset to a large extent by income received from a tenant.
Please me know by May 1 if you have any interest in buying the house.
Sincerely,
Julia Brennan
Informing family of decision to sell home
Dear Children,
We know you all understand that this past year has been a difficult one for your father and me. It’s not easy getting old, but we’re both feeling better now and hoping for the best.
We have come to realize that our house has become a huge burden. Although we love our home, we simply don’t want to be spending all of our money and much of our time on its upkeep.
After much thought we have decided to simplify our lives and give ourselves the time to enjoy ourselves in retirement. We can do without the plumber and the landscaper and the snow plow.
We have found a lovely two-bedroom apartment in a new senior development right here in Rolling Meadow. It has a view of Mirror Pond and a recreation center, and they’ll take care of all the maintenance, lawn mowing, and plowing.
The way we look at it, this is a great way for us make our lives easier. And we think this will ease the burden on all of you, our children, as well.
It is our plan to put the house on the market soon. If anyone in the family has an interest in the house, we’d be happy to hear about it.
Love,
Mom and Dad
Advising work required before real estate closing
Sheila Jordan
Rolling Meadow Real Estate Agency
Dear Ms. Jordan,
We are looking forward to completing the purchase of the property at 67 Pine Street in five days.
However, as you know, one of the conditions of the contract of sale is that the present owners remove all the debris and trash in the backyard. This includes a stove, a car engine, a broken swing set, and an aboveground pool.
On the advice of our attorney, I am bringing these matters to your attention now. If the property is not fully in compliance with the contract, we will not attend the closing and we will ask for the return of our deposit currently being held in escrow.
Please advise your clients and let us know their intentions.
Thank you.
Stan Lawrence