Real Estate (rental) question

[Bluesplayer]

I have a situation that I'd like some feedback on from some real estate/property management types.

I finally renegotiated my lease this month. It was a hassle.

We moved into this very nice, large apartment in a Minneapolis complex in 1992. Since then, our rent has remained steady. This year, I noticed that our complex was advertising our type of unit for $300 less than we've been paying. I'm disabled, so moving would have been very difficult, and they knew that... When I said that I wanted that rent too, the bargaining began. I ended up with a free month, but I'm still not satisfied.

Can anyone explain to me why they would be glad to let us, good steady tenants, move out, only to be replaced by unknown people who will pay significantly less rent?

[shanti]

1. have you offered to lease?

they might cut you a deal then. *shrug*

[Freedom_from_Chains]

2. As a general rule

good property managers want to retain long term renters that are a known quantity. From your description of the event I would say that they understand that you are disabled and, as you say, moving would be a real hassle, so therefore you are not really in the best negotiating position and they are banking on that.

FFC

Ex realtor and real estate appraiser.

[TaleWgnDg]

3. Hhhmmmmmmmm, it seems the landlord wants to get rid of you . . .

.
Hhhmmmmmmmm, it seems the landlord wants to get rid of you . . . and other than get into the particulars of your own situation, after all a blog or msgboard isn't the place to *discuss* such matters, maybe you should seek competent legal advice in the State of Minnesota. Perhaps, inquire with the local state or county freebie legal services (or freebie legal aid) to find out what your legal status may be or for them to refer you to someone who could give you competent Minnesota landlord/tenant legal advice. I believe the University of Minnesota Law School Housing Clinic may be helpful, although I don't know enough about it to recommend it.

__________________

edited to correct hyperlink
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[Digit]

4. I see it as discrimination, but I am not an attorney

[CountAllVotes]

5. disabled? Need some help around there ...

like accommodations? Like having the bathroom remodeled, staircase made safe (if there is one) ...

Think of things that might make the place more accessible and hit this SOB up for these things. See how fast your rent drops after you tell him you need some "reasonable accommodations" to continue living there.

If he declines and refuses to lower your rent to what the others in the building are paying (find out first) then I'd find myself a real estate attorney, especially one that deals with rent control (is it in the area where you live - rent control?).

If all else fails call up a few building inspection places and complain about things that might not be up to code. Any rats around there - garbage problems?

You can make this guy's life a living hell if you want to.

Then you might have to move though.

I wouldn't let it go myself. I'd confront him first and take it from there. Tell him you saw the other unit for $300 less a month and you'd like to know why you are not getting the same deal, especially being you've been living there and paying rent on time (I assume) for over 12 years.

Best of luck and go for it - don't let him get away with it. Write a letter to your local paper, have the water tested ... be a royal pain in the ass if you feel like getting some restitution.

Otherwise, let it go and forget it. That seems like a shitty way out of a perhaps not so great situation. Are there better places to live around where you are that are cheaper and might be suitable? Don't let being disabled stop you.

Take it from one that knows about such things. :D

Best of luck to you and I'd fight if it was me!

:kick:

[sceptical]

6. an odd conclusion

"Can anyone explain to me why they would be glad to let us, good steady tenants, move out, only to be replaced by unknown people who will pay significantly less rent?"

Why would you assume such a thing AFTER they were willing to renegotiate
your lease. A new lease that apparently satisfied you enough at the time to agree to. Now you're thinking you could have done better and you're probably right.

Everybody is supposed to do their job.

Their job; rent units for what the market will bear.

Your job; make the best deal possible.

You might still get a better deal by asking, but you have no legal standing to demand a better deal.

[newyawker99]

7. Hi sceptical!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[bleedingheart]

8. Actually the low interest rates have hurt some in the rental industry

because many people who rented were finally able to purchase a home instead of renting.

My father-in-law has rental units in a historic district, he has been hurting for the past two years as people find it easier to buy then to rent. He has reduced all his rents on open units.

I know that hindsight is 20/20 and I realize that you are in a difficult situation, however it would have been best for you to find another place to move so that you could literally walk into the negotiations with another place ready to go. If that had been the case then they might have given you that lower rental rate...cuz then they would have the open units they already have and then they would have to go into your unit and get it ready for rental...more work and less cash for them.

If they wouldn't have budged...then I would suspect they are trying to get rid of you.

I recall that when I ended my lease at an apt bldg years and years ago, the landlord was so desparate to hang on to me that he was promising me the land and sea to stay...however it didn't matter as I was going to get a much cheaper rental rate at my mom's house..(she only charged $75 a month for rent)...

[KharmaTrain]

9. Is There Subsidized Housing In Or Around?

I lived in a complex where there were two different rates...the "regular" and a subsidized rate...those who were Section 8s...living on housing subsidies. Initially, the management company that owned the complex charged higher for the Sec 8s...limiting the number of units available. This company charged more for the subsidized units, but claimed they were more expensive to maintain and had a higher turnover.

A couple years later, the complex was sold and the new owners had a whole different philosophy. They rented to anyone with cash...and if you had a government check attached to it, that was even better. Soon, we were seeing more Sec 8s moving in and started hearing of all different kinds of rents...most lower than ours...so the owners would always be making money out of every unit. Things got real bad as the units became rundown and crime rose drastically in the area.

Our village board received a ton of complaints from long-term renters and other area residents and investigated the company. Long story short, the village was able to force the company to sell the property to a company that turned half the units into condos and worked with the long-time renters into owning their units rather than renting. They also cleared out a lot of the Sec 8s...instead catering to new immigrants and families.

A lot, obviously, depends on the management company that owns your property and if they're a large company, your chances of getting anyone to really listen to you or work with you is slim. We found our best redress was going to the village...and with several families, so that it was apparent it wasn't a personal rent gripe.

There are also some renters advocacy groups. I worked with one in Chicago in getting back a security deposit. These people were great to work with and offered a very needed service.

Peace...