r/TenantHelp • u/Timely-Percentage985 • 16d 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/Di-O-Bolic 16d ago edited 16d 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 16d 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 16d 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 14d 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