Thread Drift

[Catrin]

I thought MY situation was ridiculous VBC - sheesh! My jaw dropped reading your post. My current place is ideally located for fitness/cycling/nature pursuits and I've been told there is a waiting list even with the new prices. Obviously they have no incentive to negotiate with me and their head office has become strict about getting market rate. I've been told that my rent wouldn't reach full market rate, but currently it is well below it. If it wasn't just me it wouldn't be such a big deal, but it is.

[Crankin]

That sounds terrible, Catrin. Good luck with finding a place or deciding to stay. Being close to outdoor pursuits is what keeps us from moving anywhere too far.
Heading out in a bit to do a pre-ride of a ride we are co-leading down in Mystic Connecticut. I've never been there, so I am looking forward to it. That, and the fact that it's going to be about 95 here today and the predicted high for Mystic is 80. Although there is that bad air alert, but I am bringing my inhaler, in case. It never gets used, so let's hope there's still medication in there.

[Catrin]

I've already decided. I don't need this stress and they have already told me that my rent WILL go up. They couldn't, however, tell me how much for another month but kept referencing others who had good rates who saw their rent go up 25-40%! I refuse to live with this stress. Moving is expensive and I need as much advance notice as possible to be prepared.

I've just returned from visiting a property owned by my last apartment management company that I like quite a lot. Much larger apartment, less rent than currently, quiet community and smaller. NO bad reviews, not even on the internet, and I know from experience how well they take care of things (I was with them previously for 6 years). Chances are I will have to go back to driving my bike to ride (outside of starting at 5:30 am on Sat. mornings), but I've done that before. I've plopped down my app fee and holding fee, I will probably still look to see if I can find something closer to downtown that I like as much but this place feels right. I've been checking them out during the evenings to make certain that the complex is as quiet as it appears to be - and it is They also provide a moving truck, free of charge, with enough notice!

[indysteel]

When does your lease term end, Catrin? I'm not sure I understand how/why your landlord is forcing you to essentially leave now versus the end of your lease. Granted, I would need to read your lease, but I have a hunch that they're trying to do something they're not allowed to do, either under the lease or Indiana law. It seems to me that you should be able to stay in your apartment, paying the same rent as you always have, until the lease expires. At that point, they can raise your rent or you can choose to vacate. But to force you to commit to a new lease now or immediately vacate sounds like a quasi-eviction to me. I'd be tempted to call their bluff if I were you. But I realize that's stressful, and perhaps they really are within their rights. But it smells to me.

[Catrin]

When does your lease term end, Catrin? I'm not sure I understand how/why your landlord is forcing you to essentially leave now versus the end of your lease. Granted, I would need to read your lease, but I have a hunch that they're trying to do something they're not allowed to do, either under the lease or Indiana law. It seems to me that you should be able to stay in your apartment, paying the same rent as you always have, until the lease expires. At that point, they can raise your rent or you can choose to vacate. But to force you to commit to a new lease now or immediately vacate sounds like a quasi-eviction to me. I'd be tempted to call their bluff if I were you. But I realize that's stressful, and perhaps they really are within their rights. But it smells to me.

My wording must have left the wrong impression, sorry about that. The owners require a 2-month formal notice before the lease is up. So, while I am not moving until September, I must give notice 4 weeks from now unless I want to pay a huge penalty. This is spelled out in my lease and I knew that coming into this. I will not, however, give that formal notice unless I've something already arranged, that just isn't responsible and I can't swing that penalty. I've already been sort of looking for the last month or so and been very disappointed with my options...until today. I've worked out my budget between now and the move to make certain I will have what I need, now it will just take some discipline!

I just had a heart to heart with a friend who works in the office, and come to find out they just manage for the owners. I've been perplexed at some policy changes that appear to be focused on driving people away from the complex -which hasn't been their style in the 3 years I've been here. She tells me that I am just one of many planning on moving this year, and for the same reason. Apparently the actual owners are unhappy the property isn't making as much as they think it should, but the changes certainly isn't going to help THAT! Meh, I am over it. September can't come soon enough, but I will enjoy this last summer living across the street from my favorite local park!

[emily_in_nc]

Glad it looks like you might have a good option for another place, Catrin, though moving is never fun, like you say.

When we lived in an apartment in Chapel Hill they raised our rent substantially after our first lease term (just 9 months) expired. Since our condo still wasn't quite finished, we had no choice to pay it as we only needed three more months, and it certainly wasn't worth moving for that amount of time. The management company had also changed in our short time there, and the new company was a real pain in the butt. I knew of quite a few people who were planning to leave at the end of their current lease, including four others in our building -- and they all did. I am sure they're still finding plenty of people to rent there as it is a nice complex in a great location, but the people who had been there for much longer than us were very unhappy with all the changes put into place once the former, friendlier company got taken over by a larger, more "corporate" apartment management group. Yuk.

Good luck to you!

[skhill]

Is it something in the water around here? About a month ago a dear friend and his wife separated, after nearly 40 yrs of marriage. His friends could see it coming for a long time, but it's still a surprise when a couple that's been together that long call it quits. And then last night, another couple, both friends, announced via facebook that they were separating. They've been married almost 20 yrs, and no one had a clue that there was anything seriously wrong. He had cancer a few years back, now in complete remission, and that sent them into bankruptcy, but they had seemed to be doing really well together over the past year or so. Sigh. It's sad to see all this...

But on the other hand, I'm going to the 55th anniversary party for another couple this weekend. They're just hoping they both live long enough for this state to repeal our anti-marriage amendment so they can have their marriage officially recognized. It should be a great party!