Trailmagic
Trailmagic OP t1_j6l40nj wrote
Reply to comment by Unfair-Rip9168 in Need resources to advise tenants in rentals that are uninhabitable? My heater can’t maintain 60F and would run non-stop trying + add $750 to my utility bill. I can’t afford to live here and I can’t afford to move. by Trailmagic
They have my money, and a signed contract that they get to keep it if I just leave abruptly. I need to prove the just cause and/or convince them. That’s the whole point of this post. Finding resources and information to make that happen, and more if possible. If you ask a LL to leave mid-lease and have your security deposit back they will say no unless you have a good reason and the knowledge to make it very convincing. I also think I am owed more than that but don’t feel like explaining why a third time.
Trailmagic OP t1_j6ko0br wrote
Reply to comment by Unfair-Rip9168 in Need resources to advise tenants in rentals that are uninhabitable? My heater can’t maintain 60F and would run non-stop trying + add $750 to my utility bill. I can’t afford to live here and I can’t afford to move. by Trailmagic
Leases have penalties if you break them without cause.
Trailmagic t1_j6hxqqy wrote
Reply to comment by TheMattHurleyShow in Moving to Baltimore by nationdecay
YMMV
Trailmagic t1_j6hwehz wrote
Reply to comment by carbon56f in is anyone else’s BGE bill crazy high??? by Proper-Cheesecake602
I do that because running my central heat costs $25 a day to maybe maintain 60F…
Trailmagic OP t1_j6fuumm wrote
Reply to comment by ayhme in Need resources to advise tenants in rentals that are uninhabitable? My heater can’t maintain 60F and would run non-stop trying + add $750 to my utility bill. I can’t afford to live here and I can’t afford to move. by Trailmagic
https://www.fairhousingmd.org/housing-inquiry-form/
One of the more helpful links I got here. I will let you know when I post in /r/LegalAdvice
You can get a high quality space heater on FB marketplace for $20-30 just do your research on them because they can be fire hazards. Also, probably not allowed by your lease but imo they are already in breach of contract.
Trailmagic OP t1_j6fug13 wrote
Reply to comment by Willothwisp2303 in Need resources to advise tenants in rentals that are uninhabitable? My heater can’t maintain 60F and would run non-stop trying + add $750 to my utility bill. I can’t afford to live here and I can’t afford to move. by Trailmagic
Thank you. Not going to play games. Definitely not going to stop paying rent. I am going to make a demand letter and bring the city in to decide if the management play games.
Trailmagic OP t1_j6fscis wrote
Trailmagic OP t1_j6fqzgp wrote
Reply to comment by Unfair-Rip9168 in Need resources to advise tenants in rentals that are uninhabitable? My heater can’t maintain 60F and would run non-stop trying + add $750 to my utility bill. I can’t afford to live here and I can’t afford to move. by Trailmagic
Federal case? Elaborate please.
Baltimore City housing authority and/or Code Enforcement for the city or state is my first stop. Well, second actually. My first stop is gathering enough information to demand that I break my lease plenty-free with a 30 day notice, plus reduced rent + subsidized utilities moving forward, plus reimbursement for the rent I paid + utilities for a habitable dwelling which they failed to deliver. Plus moving costs.
That’s what I want. I am willing to negotiate so I am not being shy about what I think I’m owed, and am prepared to compromise on the last two.
I want to make an unassailable and informed demand that cues them in to the fact that I will call the city and possibly sue them in civil court for breach of contract after code enforcement finds that this place doesn’t meet minimum requirements for habitability… which will result in the unit being un-rentable until the necessary (and very expensive) renovations to meet code and get the city off their back - all the while, losing income since they can’t rent it out. If my heater is the only violation the city finds, I’d be surprised.
The implication is that it’s cheaper to pay me to go away quietly than deal with this, and I want to make a carefully written and well researched demand so they realize I the implication of my plan B if they don’t immediately settle could be very bad for them.
I will survive here and let the city do their investigation and make a civil case if I have to. But you are out of your mind if you think I will pay penalties to break a lease they already broke by giving me an apartment I have had to leave because even with the heater on, it’s too cold to live in.
Is your suggestion that I sacrifice my security deposit and eat the costs to move as well as $750 a month to keep it at 60F here until I find a new place?
Trailmagic OP t1_j68zu9a wrote
Trailmagic OP t1_j68zp2q wrote
Reply to comment by [deleted] in Need resources to advise tenants in rentals that are uninhabitable? My heater can’t maintain 60F and would run non-stop trying + add $750 to my utility bill. I can’t afford to live here and I can’t afford to move. by Trailmagic
I don’t want to stay here due to multiple reasons including how they handled this. No interest in seeing how they handle more situations.
Trailmagic OP t1_j68zeyq wrote
Trailmagic OP t1_j6577uo wrote
Reply to comment by greemmako in Need resources to advise tenants in rentals that are uninhabitable? My heater can’t maintain 60F and would run non-stop trying + add $750 to my utility bill. I can’t afford to live here and I can’t afford to move. by Trailmagic
Thank you. Are you aware of any agencies besides the Baltimore Housing Authority who can also give me advice?
My ideal outcome is cash-for-keys after making demands so I can GTFO. I will still freeze while the courts do their thing.
This place is an old rowhome with lofted ceilings and 8’ windows. It would take an enormous investment to fix the insulation and replace the central heat with something capable. I don’t think they can or will based on how cheap they’ve been with minor repairs.
I am hoping that they do the math and see that paying me out is cheaper than repairs and collecting zero rent until that’s done will compound their losses and potentially stop them from renting at all if it’s too expensive to renovate up to code. Also, code enforcement might find other stuff while they were here. If I were them I’d be very worried about forcing me to get the city involved.
With enough knowledge and the right documentation I can send a demand letter over their breach of contract that is informed enough for them to just eat the loss since it’s clear I’m not dumb and am aware of the code enforcement call being required if they are difficult.
If that fails I will do the code and court stuff but my existence here sucks and I want more than just rent put in escrow. I paid for an apartment and this does not meet the legal requirements to be one. I called BGE and this is not new so they were likely aware when renting it.
Trailmagic OP t1_j09axmt wrote
Reply to comment by OilComprehensive6237 in I passed this graffiti/message and wasn’t able to get a clear shot. Does anyone know where it is? Somewhere in W Baltimore heading to Pigtown. by Trailmagic
Not sure why the question was so unpopular.
Trailmagic OP t1_iz2rjga wrote
Reply to comment by imperaman in I passed this graffiti/message and wasn’t able to get a clear shot. Does anyone know where it is? Somewhere in W Baltimore heading to Pigtown. by Trailmagic
First I’ve seen and wanted to go back and take a better picture?
Trailmagic OP t1_iz2rgjj wrote
Reply to comment by nitsky416 in I passed this graffiti/message and wasn’t able to get a clear shot. Does anyone know where it is? Somewhere in W Baltimore heading to Pigtown. by Trailmagic
No. I checked.
Trailmagic OP t1_iyb698f wrote
Reply to comment by crusaderq42 in Driving down E Pratt street, saw some yellow flashing traffic lights. Slowed down to proceed with caution and then a freaking MARC train cut across the street. Shouldn’t there be like… a retractable barrier or at least red lights? by Trailmagic
Yes. That is the edit in my post added about 12 hours ago and a minor detail people seem fixated on while it doesn’t really change the idea behind this post.
Trailmagic OP t1_iy83ot7 wrote
Reply to comment by YorickTheCat in Driving down E Pratt street, saw some yellow flashing traffic lights. Slowed down to proceed with caution and then a freaking MARC train cut across the street. Shouldn’t there be like… a retractable barrier or at least red lights? by Trailmagic
No it was yellow the whole time. It was flashing, and I was approaching with caution but they were definitely yellow. You are correct it was the light rail.
Trailmagic OP t1_iy83e79 wrote
Reply to comment by YoYoMoMa in Driving down E Pratt street, saw some yellow flashing traffic lights. Slowed down to proceed with caution and then a freaking MARC train cut across the street. Shouldn’t there be like… a retractable barrier or at least red lights? by Trailmagic
I didn’t stop on the tracks. I don’t even cross traffic lights until I know I can fit because I hate being that dude stranded in the intersection.
I stopped before the yellow lights because I noticed the oncoming light rail, but not because of the yellow flashing lights. If they were red I would have stopped anyway had I not seen the light rail. Yellow just seems a poor choice for the warning lights.
If there is some other signal off on the side of the road I was supposed to notice, not everyone is aware of them and traffic to your right could block your view (if there is one over there).
I just think the the lights should have been red. I am not sure if this is who its set up, but if it is, it’s dumb and dangerous (with a very simple fix).
Trailmagic OP t1_iy82m9z wrote
Reply to comment by theyoungbloody in Driving down E Pratt street, saw some yellow flashing traffic lights. Slowed down to proceed with caution and then a freaking MARC train cut across the street. Shouldn’t there be like… a retractable barrier or at least red lights? by Trailmagic
The traffic lights above the street were blinking yellow.
Trailmagic OP t1_iy7zsvd wrote
Reply to comment by Beneficial-Pickle787 in Driving down E Pratt street, saw some yellow flashing traffic lights. Slowed down to proceed with caution and then a freaking MARC train cut across the street. Shouldn’t there be like… a retractable barrier or at least red lights? by Trailmagic
Fair amount of time but new to living in Baltimore proper so not much time driving across downtown like that. And you are correct it was the light rail.
Trailmagic OP t1_iy7zkjw wrote
Reply to comment by theyoungbloody in Driving down E Pratt street, saw some yellow flashing traffic lights. Slowed down to proceed with caution and then a freaking MARC train cut across the street. Shouldn’t there be like… a retractable barrier or at least red lights? by Trailmagic
Ah ok you are correct about the locomotive. The light was yellow and blinking.
Trailmagic t1_iujq03i wrote
Reply to comment by QuebraRegra in I want to break in my new hiking boots. by awhitby
They said within an hour or so of the city, so Great Falls State Park qualifies. I have hiked all over the state and it’s so good it would be a shame to not mention it.
Trailmagic t1_iuj3yw3 wrote
Reply to I want to break in my new hiking boots. by awhitby
Billy Goat Trail, Great Falls State Park. Part C I think. Close to DC but the best trail I found in MD. Sugarloaf, Harpers Ferry, and the AT near Annapolis Rocks are also great.
Trailmagic t1_itt29uq wrote
Reply to comment by jack_hof in Apple devices now support Nintendo’s classic game controllers. by SUPRVLLAN
What are some good emulators? Will any be coming to the App Store with this change?
I just want to play Pokémon on x8 speed.
Trailmagic OP t1_jcbpzco wrote
Reply to comment by EfficiencySuch6361 in Is there a quick way to find out the square footage of my apartment with public records? by Trailmagic
Why didn’t I think of that? Maybe because this place is oddly shaped and I can’t reach the cleanings, and their may be public records that are usable in court?