Reducing/avoiding extra tenant charge

[Ricemarine]

This thread is now about pie.

 

[twinrider1]

As written, the mgt company can demand an extra $150/mo. You don't have to pay that, but they don't have to approve the change in occupancy.
I don't know if that's legal, but that's how it's written.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Yep...you're SOL, unless they're willing to negotiate.

Don't be surprised if they also try tacking on all those other new/higher fees as part of the revised agreement...essentially making it an entirely new lease under their new standards. So be careful of that. If they don't, I'm guessing +$150 to her apartment's rent is still less than both apartments combined.

You could also ask if they'll just let her out of her lease (since they want to hike rent and charge extra fees anyway), and you guys can just start looking elsewhere to live.

2) Is charging $150/tenant the norm?

Depends on the landlord. When I moved in to my GF's apartment, the landlords didn't hike her rent or any fees. ...though, I can't actually remember if we told them or not. That was years ago.

 

[Lithium381]

I'd say you're SOL..... though 150 is a good deal considering you were paying what sounds like >$1k before all said and done

 

[Cuda1447]

150 is not a good deal, as the apartment complex is charging his extra money for NOTHING. That's a mothereffin ripoff and a poor way to do business, in my estimation. I'd say fuck that company and look somewhere else to live.

 

[jupiter57]

Dude, this is ATOT!
You are supposed to live in a >$250K house!
No apartment dwellers here.

 

[rcpratt]

Should have just moved out and not told them you were moving into her place.

 

[Capt Caveman]

150 is not a good deal, as the apartment complex is charging his extra money for NOTHING. That's a mothereffin ripoff and a poor way to do business, in my estimation. I'd say fuck that company and look somewhere else to live.

It's extra costs to the Mgmt Company in utilities(water, trash, etc). Additional liability costs also.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Should have just moved out and not told them you were moving into her place.

And when they find out; they can

1. bounce both of them for lease violations. No advance warning - they broke the lease
   
2. management can force a new lease on them with management add ons
   
3. keep the unit with the extra offered $150.

 

[rcpratt]

I've never seen an apartment management company pay enough attention to notice.

 

[Tsaico]

It's extra costs to the Mgmt Company in utilities(water, trash, etc). Additional liability costs also.

Also more "wear and tear" on the units too, carpets will have to be replaced sooner, etc.

 

[Rage187]

I've never seen an apartment management company pay enough attention to notice.

they do when you tell them you are contemplating doing it. Shouldn't have said anything to begin with.

 

[rcpratt]

they do when you tell them you are contemplating doing it. Shouldn't have said anything to begin with.

That was my point.

 

[Ricemarine]

they do when you tell them you are contemplating doing it. Shouldn't have said anything to begin with.

Ｉ was debating whether or not I should have just risked it. The building I live in is where the management office is. So, if by any means somehow they notice that there are two people living in the same apartment but only one person on the lease, then all hell would break loose. My name would be on the mailbox, and all packages would be routed through management which would then be sent to my girlfriend's unit. That would be a little risky IMO.
Of course, it is true that telling them I'm contemplating on doing it just increases their awareness of the potential of me moving in. But, I think the consequences were a bit too much to try doing that.

Also more "wear and tear" on the units too, carpets will have to be replaced sooner, etc.

The previous management company was in the process of renovating the rooms (and subsequently, charging more). The reason why my girlfriend and I got lower rates was because we had moved into the units that weren't renovated yet. So, no hardwood floors in the kitchen/bathroom, old carpet, old appliances (not really, they just wanted stainless steel), etc.

 

[MichaelD]

Apartments suck...they ALL suck. No matter how nice the property may be, the management's only job is to collect rent and keep your deposit by hook or by crook. I'm finally in a house and will never live in an apartment again.

Sorry, but that place really sounds like a shithole. All those fees means they are nickel and diming you to death, which is indicative of a lower-teir property. If your GF breaks her lease she will be liable for the next month's rent and will lose her entire deposit, guaranteed. Broken leases can affect your credit score, and will guarantee a very rough time trying to rent another apartment.

I'd move out of there. Talk to the office and see what's involved in getting out of the lease. It doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[Gibson486]

Yeah, as a landlord, we do not care if you have another person live with you. However, if you piss us off, we will use it as an excuse that your broke your lease.

Also, not sure what your state law is, but you are not allowed to charge more rent because of an extra tenant in MA. They used to pull this stunt in highly populated college areas in Boston until the city cracked down and said it was not legal to do so.

 

[Ricemarine]

Yeah, as a landlord, we do care if you have another person live with you. However, if you piss us off, we will use it as an excuse that your broke your lease.

Also, not sure what your state law is, but you are not allowed to charge more rent because of an extra tenant in MA. They used to pull this stunt in highly populated college areas in Boston until the city cracked down and said it was not legal to do so.

I'm trying to read the landlord and tenant laws of Washington state, but I don't see anything that states additional rent can or cannot be charged for an extra person. Maybe another pair of eyes would prove otherwise?

 

[Gibson486]

I'm trying to read the landlord and tenant laws of Washington state, but I don't see anything that states additional rent can or cannot be charged for an extra person. Maybe another pair of eyes would prove otherwise?

I am not one for looking over that stuff. However, I do not think it explicitly says it. It's probably just mentioned somewhere as some ambiguous reference.

 

[twinrider1]

Ok, it took me 5 seconds to find a list of resources for tenants/landlords in the state of Washington. Have you called any of the organizations in your county that exist expressly for this purpose?
I'm all for finding help on forums, but jeez, there is life outside Anandtech.

Here.... This should help. And don't forget to breath.

 

[CptObvious]

Based on the provision you quoted, I don't think they can make you pay an extra $150 that's not spelled out in the lease. That being said, they probably can deny your request to move into her apartment, which makes it a moot point.

 

[MichaelD]

Based on the provision you quoted, I don't think they can make you pay an extra $150 that's not spelled out in the lease. That being said, they probably can deny your request to move into her apartment, which makes it a moot point.

Exactly. The apartment complex always wins. I had one landlord/owner tell me "If you don't like it, leave when your lease is up." And I did. And left an absolutely true and shitty review on Aptguide.com or whatever it's called.

 

[Sheep]

Dude, this is ATOT!
You are supposed to live in a >$250K house!
No apartment dwellers here.

<ATOT>$250k is a shack, not a house</ATOT>

Anyhow, OP appears to be boned according to that contract unless the landlord is willing to work with them. Hopefully the landlord or management companies aren't douches about it, but I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.

 

[Zee]

Should have just moved out and not told them you were moving into her place.

he needs a separate mailing address then

 

[EagleKeeper]

Should have just moved out and not told them you were moving into her place.

he needs a separate mailing address then

They start seeing him going in/out of the building all the time and his vehicle their continually overnight will trigger a response.