Landlord selling small apartment building

Submitted by RI-Transplant t3_z15858 in providence

He’s bringing someone to look next week. This is a poorly converted single family into three apartments. There’s extension cords in the walls, leaky plumbing, mold, mice, all the good stuff. This place is not up to code at all. We were talking about buying it last year and got an inspection done so we know all the dirty details. The new buyer would have to pretty much gut and rebuild.

Right now is a bad time for us to move. We would probably have to go south and live in a campground for the winter. Is there anything we can do to get some money out of this? Report our current landlord for the illegal living conditions and get free motel for a few months? Cash for keys? Fines? I just had to take a month off for surgery and every bad thing is hitting at once. Where does a couple go and do if they have no housing? And their little dog. Does anyone need a live in helper?

10

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

brick1972 t1_ix933fq wrote

What is your lease situation? The lease transfers. Your LL cannot evict you for reasons of selling the house.

If you are month to month you still get a 30 day notice which technically is 30+ remainder of month (so if he let you know today you would have to be out 1/1 not 12/21). Did he give you notice that he needs you out?

If he wants to buy you out of the lease, then make him pay. I don't know what your rent situation is, but even after rate increases he's probably in for making a bit of cash here and has incentive to sell sooner rather than later. So you could ask for a decent buyout here - 6 months rent or something plus moving expense. Something like that.

Or, he could sell with you in it and then you have to negotiate with new owner. Do you know what this will look like already?

But the biggest question is your lease and what its term is.

I wouldn't recommend outright blackmail, it will get you in more trouble than you think. But there's nothing stopping you from telling any people that look at the house about its problems, especially if they are doing a walkthrough with an inspector "hey, don't miss this!" whatever. I'm not sure what would really come of this though.

30

Status_Silver_5114 t1_ixaarsv wrote

Call a lawyer. I’m assuming there has to be legal services somewhere in ri (rwu law clinic maybe?). Read your lease. If someone is buying it for cash to likely knock it down, your living conditions are irrelevant to the deal in the end. But get actual legal help. Find out who his agent is re the sale (unless it’s a FSBO?). Chat them up. Agents want a smooth deal and even if your landlord is being a jerk, the agents going to want this to go As smoothly as possible.

1

GotenRocko t1_ixavxfk wrote

Rhode Island Legal Services, ask for housing division (401) 274-2652

2

Positive-Material t1_ixally6 wrote

i am a professional liv in helper.. hint: nobody who is looking for a live in helper will hire a couple who offer to be 'live in helpers' because they are low income. it is not as easy as you imagine, but very stressful and ruins your life and most people can't handle it mentally, and you probably can't either.. people know you move in like an angel, and move out like an angry tiger.. if you want a live in position, you have to say something professional that doesn't betray desperation such as, 'I am interested in developing my skills as an on site building caretake, as well as my interest in elderly assistance, peaceful co-living, and safe and beneficial child care. If you are interested in recruiting for a nanny position, I would love to discuss your needs and expectations, as well as provide relevant references.' Your surgery is YOUR problem, and any land lord and room mate can read the code words - poor, irresponsible, possible drugs, no career or income or savings, fake disability, and irresponsible dog ownership you can't afford, entitled sob story producer who thinks the land lord must provide you with a social safety net that you, your friends and family have failed to provide. i am not saying it to be mean, but train you to get yourself together and get yourself into another place. you have to get past the red flags and manipulate your way into a new living situation. so you should not be too honest about things you said, same way you would not say which color bowel movement you had or if you have body odor or if your tooth hurts.. these are private things and don't need to be said in a professional housing transaction, and will help you slide by.. i am saying this from twenty years working in housing. and you don't want to show that you have 'attitude' either.

13