Sunday, December 10, 2006

I did it to myself

Yesterday sucked. We worked ourselves up into a froth over nude dancer and were gearing ourselves up for confrontation. Somehow, he slithered out without our noticing. I saw him come in after he went for breakfast, but never saw him leave. (Incidentally, when he came in, he didn't see me spying through the blinds. He must have removed his shoes and tiptoed up the stairs because he made almost no noise. Like a child hiding from angry parents.) At 5pm, we went up to knock on his door, and he was gone (or hiding and not answering). The cat, however, meowed, so it's okay. Speaking of the cat, I can't go accusing people of animal cruelty without proof. It's perfectly possible that he has a friend coming over to feed it, or stopping by himself while we are out at work. All we know is that he is not sleeping there, and that we see him very rarely these days.

He does have 8 giant sacks of garbage on his balcony. He has not taken his trash down to the street since we moved in, the pile just keeps getting bigger. Charming fellow.

But I hate that once again I let this situation ruin my mood for a whole day. He's just being passive aggressive by not responding to our letter or letting us know when he intends to pay his rent. Fine. Want to use the apartment for your tricks? Fine. Want to sneak around? Fine. I have no control over these things. It's one thing to know it, and another to not let it get to you. Yesterday, I failed, and I really let it get to me. In the end, it was only I who suffered. And it really sucked.

13 comments:

Jack said...

One thing you can do, is let him know that if he doesn't give you a key you'll get a locksmith and he'll have to pay for it.

You as the owner must have a key in case of emergency.

That I think you can put in a complaint with the rental board.

Anonymous said...

I hate it when I let someone else "dictate" my day and my mood. It is so hard, but I try more and more to let things go. It is rather like anger in general. To keep your anger against someone saps so much of your own energy and ultimate proves the power that they have over you. Try to let it go, Torn. Take what action you (as a landlord) need to take against him (as a lowlife creep), but then let it go. Enjoy your day. It's the best way to get even with him.

dirk.mancuso said...

I think the sooner this fellow is evicted and you find a decent tenant, the happier you will be.

Until then, find the humor where you can in the situation! (And start on a new scarf!)

Have a great remainder to your weekend!

Anonymous said...

The reason you hear rats is because of all the garbage piling up. Tell loser low life to clean it up or you'll have it done and send him the bill. You don't need this aggravation every month. I would just tell him he has to go and the sooner the better. No more mister nice guy. Hit the road Jack. So long and good riddance to bad rubbage.

Anonymous said...

Evict him. Certainly there has got to be a way. Don't even worry about doing it by the book. Just get rid of his sorry ass or you will suffer like this every month until you die. Grab the stripper by the nuts and toss his sorry ass out!

Good to hear the cat is okay, even though I am not fond of the felines...

GayProf said...

I am with Joel. Actually, I would just get the locksmith to change the lock. Then the loser would need to talk to you to get the new key (which, sadly, you would still have to give him). As the owner of the property, it's well within your rights to have a key to the apartment.

What does your lease with him specify? Most require tenants to keep the property clean. Can't you go to the rental board yet?

r said...

ugh.

I know how it is. You get upset about something, which is not in your control (the something, not the upset part), try to be proactive, and still, nothing changes.

congratulations on being human my friend. And sorry he got to you.

oi.

Enemy of the Republic said...

I'm sorry he got to you, but damn, it's understandable. This man is a parasite. And this is your home too. It must feel so tense to be there.

Sunshine said...

I suspect you are more patient than most. I would've sent in a hit man by now!! :)

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear that he is so negatively affecting the quality of your day to day life. I know that (at least here) in Ontario you have the right to enter his suite for any reason with 24 hours notice - he can't say no and he'll either have to be there or give you a key.

Anonymous said...

Late Rent Payments

In the absence of any other agreement, rent is due on the first day of each month (or of each week if the lease is on a weekly basis). Rent is considered late on the day after it is due. The landlord can apply to the Régie to recover the rent due, interest and the application fees. The landlord should first formally request payment from the tenant; otherwise, the landlord may have to assume the cost of the application.

If the rent is more than 3 weeks late, or if the tenant is habitually late in paying the rent and the landlord suffers serious prejudice as a result, the landlord can apply to have the lease cancelled in mid-course and the tenant and other occupants evicted. If the rent is still outstanding at the time of the hearing, the court will cancel the lease. However, if the rent has been paid, the judge cannot cancel the lease.

Evictions for cause

In order to cancel the lease in mid-course and evict a tenant for cause, a landlord must apply to the Régie du logement and prove that a "serious injury" has taken place. An example of a serious injury would be the tenant regularly making noise and disrupting the neighbours. See Late Rent Payment (above) for information on terminating the lease due to late rent payments.

Fine Points

Permitting landlord entry to the premises (times and reasons)

The landlord may enter the rental unit with the tenant's consent to make minor repairs between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., and to show the rental unit to prospective tenants or buyers between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. In both cases, the landlord is required to give the tenant 24 hours verbal notice. In cases of emergency, the landlord may enter to check the premises at any time without providing notice.

The Lone Rangers said...

Give him the boot!!

Also I'd be worried about the insect situation with all that garbage..on the balcony or not...that could cost you serious money (or tenents) if you get an infestation in the future

Patricia said...

his sorry ass has got to go. i'm not even financially involved and i want his carcass on the street yesterday.