Strongly Worded

Revenge Fantasies Vs. Cosmic Balance

OK, so you know about my crazy landlords and how they are not renewing my lease and being exceptionally horrible about it.

Many of you have sent encouraging and creative suggestions my way.

I talked to my lawyer ex-boyfriend. He was very lovely and affirmed my outrage, but conceded that they haven't done anything illegal. BUT, he said, if I want to make a fuss and create drama there are grounds upon which to do that. He who conjured up all these legal terms about "conditions of habitability" (apparently I could drum up some serious legal ruckus about the (lack of) heat, had I documented the transgressions, same with the carbon monoxide detector and some other stuff. He also pointed out that evicting a tenant requires a protracted court process, and that if I simply didn't move out on 6/30, there is nothing they could do without a court order. As for the washer/dryer, I did convey in writing last year that I'd leave them in the apt, so, while they're not going to chase me down and sue me for the loss of the appliances, technically I have agreed to give them up. AND, most validating: my updating the lease was completely, absolutely, and indisputably legal. Forgery, my ass.

Lawyer ex-boyfriend said a very smart thing, much along the lines of Anne's post. "If you were the type of person who would take joy in making their lives hellish, I can help you do that very effectively as your lawyer. As your friend, however, I know that every tiny bit of hell you inflict upon them will cause you misery, guilt, and fear--sevenfold."

He's right. I could be Scary Legal Tenant and freak them out and leverage their fear into ... some borrowed time in this apt with all its lovely vibes? Jeopardizing my security deposit and whatever reference I might need someday?

AND, the crap I could pull (not moving out on time, leaving stinky things in the apartment) would ultimately affect the hapless future tenant/realtor, not the unreasonable racist landlords. It would be really terrible for a new tenant to move in and find an angry squatter waiting for a court date. (Down the road, the new tenant will find it terrible to live under the freezing tyranny of the landlords, but that's beyond my control).

So. I'm pretty much going the path of doing the absolute minimum to make this transaction happen. By law, a realtor has to give "reasonable notice" (defined by the MA Bar Association as 24-48 hours) before (s)he can show the property. As I'm sure you understand, I'm feeling very busy these days, given all the rigamarole associated with this unexpected move and the related emotional stress. I have boxes to pack, therapy appointments to keep. I'm going away this weekend, things are getting crazy at work ... so, given all this upheaval, I'm definitely going to need 48 hours notice before harboring any realtor.

Of course, if I knew I had another two weeks to move, that would give me much more scheduling leeway, and perhaps more ability to accommodate apartment showings.

Food for thought, fuckers.

Posted by Dori at 8:48 PM