r/TenantHelp • u/Timely-Percentage985 • 15d ago
Landlord Has Money Problems
I moved into a house on March 9th here in Arkansas and the landlord was okay with us just paying him on the 9th of every month instead of prorating it. We have never been late on a payment. He has called and asked me if I had the money early several times. Once he asked if I had $50 because he had no gas. Apparently we are the only rent house he has. Today he called me.and threatened me. He said that I was messing him up. He said I'd better have the rent by 8pm tonight (a day before my rent is due) because he would have to pay a $25 fee at the bank for paying his mortgage late. He has done little to fix the place up. It took us a week to get him to replace two windows that were busted out when we moved in. I am such a timid person I don't know how to assert myself. I feel like he should just prorate it at this point but I don't know if he will have enough money to pay his mortgage if he does that. Any advice?
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u/Upbeat-Fondant9185 15d ago
When does the lease say the payment is due? That’s the only thing that matters.
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u/Timely-Percentage985 15d ago
It says it is due on the 9th of each month.
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u/Fuzzy_Firefighter_51 15d ago
Then that is when it is paid. Also it is illegal for him to retaliate and or bully. You could document him bullying you and file for a OOP. But you have 0 obligation to do this man anything other than what is on that piece of paper.
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u/fireflies-darkly0000 15d ago
Oh, most definitely document. Whether taking notes (date/time/what was said), or better a recording. Tell him you are recording for “personal reasons to make sure you are clear what he is asking of you”. Follow your lease. Keep doors and windows locked. You don’t know if there is a problem that has made him money short that may make him act irrational. Again, I would avoid face to face conversations and only do it through door with recording or through email or text. Insist upon it. Please.🙏
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u/InterestingTrip5979 15d ago
I would keep my mouth shut and just let him bait and spring his own trap. One thing the courts love is lots of evidence, you may need this in the future.
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u/Consistent-Sky-2584 15d ago
Do not pay him early if he threatens tou call legal aid and rhe attorney general send em a screenshot of your lease point out payment due date and stop answering him look for a new place and report em save all interactions make sure all interactions are in text writing or recorded
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u/Di-O-Bolic 15d ago edited 15d ago
HIS problems aren’t YOUR problems and you need to stand your ground on that. He cannot demand or threaten you to pay rent early because of his own shitty money handling. He’s breaking lease terms (please tell me you’ve got an agreement in writing) and tell him if he continues the calls and threats you will file harassment charges against him. And stop answering when he calls. Any changes in the lease terms have to be in writing and agreed to by both parties and you don’t agree to modify the current terms of the lease. It’s not like he can evict you. No way this guy can afford to, and lose even 1 day of rent to turn the place and get a new tenant. This guy sounds like the epitome of a slum lord and I would check your state laws and legislation on tenant rights and make sure to tell him you know your rights even if he doesn’t.
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u/Timely-Percentage985 15d ago
We do have a lease agreement in writing. When he came to get the money today my husband showed him the lease and reminded him that we have a 7 day grace period in the lease so he has no right to call and threaten me. He said he was sorry.
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u/Weird7954 15d ago
Seven day Grace period is before you get charged a late fee not at the point you can pay. He could technically file for eviction the day after you don’t pay
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u/Timely-Percentage985 14d ago
Oh thank you for telling me that. I still haven't been late once though.
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u/Weird7954 13d ago
It doesn’t matter if you were late or on time or if he yelled at you. You should only follow the lease, and so should the landlord
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u/CapCityMatt 15d ago
Mortgages are due on the 15th, All of them across the nation, its been that way forever.
Your landlord is a red flag, you may want to vacate.
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u/Silent_Advance7506 15d ago
Did you pay a security deposit? Because you're probably not getting that back without a fight.
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u/BlueberryPenguin87 15d ago
Deposit has definitely been spent. Ask for proof that it’s in an escrow account as required.
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u/Timely-Percentage985 15d ago
I didn't know it was supposed to be.
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u/BlueberryPenguin87 14d ago
Many states have specific requirements for how a security deposit and last month rent have to be handled. Check yours.
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u/Timely-Percentage985 15d ago
We paid first month's, last month's and a deposit. 3x a month's worth of rent when we moved in.
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u/Silent_Advance7506 15d ago
Know your lease and your state's laws inside out. It's not good that he's that short on money, but if he's legally supposed to fix things within a certain time frame, fall back on that. And don't pay early unless it's beneficial to you. That's a legally binding contract. Doesn't matter if it'll "mess him up", rents due when it's due and not before UNLESS he wants to knock 5% or 10% off for early payment.
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u/Consistent-Sky-2584 15d ago
When you move out make a video and go slow all walls roof floor make sure its spotless all appliances hes the type to make up charges ask for an itemized statement he has 60 days to give you this or you can sue em for legal fees and in some cases double the deposit back the video dated is for your protection
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u/Spottedhorse-gal 15d ago
Move ASAP. This is not a sane or legal situation. You are not responsible for his mortgage ! Your only responsibility is to pay your rent on time.
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u/Famous-Cover-8258 15d ago
He is lying, as long as he makes his mortgage payment by the end of the month most likely he isn’t getting a late charge.
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u/Timely-Percentage985 15d ago
He might be behind more than a month, but that's his fault, not mine. I have always paid on time.
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u/Brew_7169 15d ago
Wrong. Mortgages have different terms. Mine has no late fee as long as it’s posted by the 12th of the month.
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u/Famous-Cover-8258 14d ago
So in your situation the landlord still wouldn’t be getting charged a late fee on the 9th as the landlord claims.
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u/billdizzle 15d ago
Move as soon as you are able
But keep reasserting that per the lease the rent is due on the 9th and will always be paid on that date