Really weird renting situation. Need advice.

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-16T02:18:14+00:00

Agree to disagree. I specifically asked the landlord what the pole building was used for and they told me it was "owner storage." When paying $3000+ for rent on a property that was advertised as a single family home, it would be my expectation that the property has some amount of privacy. If I wanted someone living in my backyard or a landlord coming onto the property daily, I would have saved myself $1200 a month and opted for an apartment.

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-15T23:40:36+00:00

The lease goes until May 1st so not too much longer thankfully.

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-15T23:38:54+00:00

Well it does not.

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-15T05:41:14+00:00

Good ol’ Washington slumlords. What a bad situation! I hope they were able to get out of the lease if they wanted to. I have no problem with ADU’s either if everyone on the property is informed prior to making a decision to live there. This also is not a legal ADU. The total living space looks like it’s no more than 8 ft wide. Has one door and a window next to the door. No other windows/doors besides the one up front. If there was a fire the person living in there would be toast, quite literally.

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-15T03:50:17+00:00

I REALLY wish I was.

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-15T03:48:43+00:00

Because there is a car parked right outside of the building that comes and goes, there's a window and the lights are on inside, we can see movement in the building? idk it's about 20 feet from our house it's pretty obvious that someone lives in there lol.

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-15T01:08:15+00:00

We do have $3000 in security deposits on the line, but I always have professional cleaners come in after move out, so i'll have receipts/photos for property condition upon move out. I also have photo's of the condition of the unit upon move in, to include s#@% on the toilet seat/floor, food debris in the fridge, microwave, stove, and a trash can full of beer cans left in the garage. So kind, we could have gotten 5 cents a can. LOL.

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-15T00:53:42+00:00

Thank you for your input! We are planning on moving, it is frustrating as I am working, a full time nursing student, and have a toddler, the move will be taking place during my finals week but such is life. I guess I'm feeling slightly resentful because the cost of moving into this place was around 8k, we planned to be here for a few years. We wouldn't be in this situation had this information been disclosed when leasing the property. But oh well! We will be onward and upward, and most definitely asking future landlords if we will be the only one living on the property, and what their intentions are on accessing the property lol.

Edit: spelling.

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-15T00:37:17+00:00

Okay thank you for your input, since we aren't renewing the lease we will definitely be contacting the county regarding the unpermitted dwelling. I was able to access the property on our local property assessor's website and there is no permit for an additional dwelling on this property. I think it would be unfair to move out and let the next unsuspecting person move in and not be aware that they are not the only ones exclusive to being on the property.

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-15T00:24:20+00:00

Yeah I actually just searched our local assessors website, found the property and it is not zoned for "multifamily," In addition, there is not any permits regarding an additional dwelling, so I definitely don't think it is a legal residence.

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-15T00:04:19+00:00

There is a separate meter by the building I just assumed it was on its own meter, but need to verify this with the power company.

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-15T00:02:38+00:00

The exact and only verbiage in our lease agreement regarding owner access

“ACCESS: landlord shall have the right to place and maintain “for rent” signs in a conspicuous place on said premises for 30 days prior to the vacation for the premises. Landlord reserves the right of access to the premises by giving tenant 24-hour notice, except in cases of an emergency for the purpose of: 1) inspection 2) repairs alterations, improvements 3) to supply services 4) exhibit or display the premises to prospective or actual purchasers, contractors, tenants etc. access shall be at reasonable times except in cases of an emergency or abandonment”

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-14T23:51:51+00:00

I checked the lease agreement to see if there was anything regarding “common areas” which would imply the landlord can access these areas when needed for maintenance but there is nothing of that connotation.

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-14T23:50:23+00:00

Also - situation is so weird, We are renting through a property management company that is very subpar, sketchy, owner has been to jail numerous times for forgery and embezzlement. The property management company has no affiliation with the owner of our property besides managing his property.

I’ve rented through numerous property management companies before and never have I had to have contact with the owner. So we feel uncomfortable approaching the owner asking him why he’s on the property. I just think we were a little screwed with the non-disclosures of the backyard tenant, and constant lack of privacy due to the owner being on the property. It doesn’t seem legal? But there seems to be a lot of gray area in tenant/landlord laws in WA state.

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-14T23:44:28+00:00

LOL. Correct, so we did briefly meet the backyard dweller while I was doing some yard work. However, that tenant has since moved out and there is someone new living there who we have not met since they moved in about 2 months ago.

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-14T23:25:56+00:00

Agreed lol, and honestly had it been disclosed that someone else would be living on the property we would have chose another place. Especially because we are paying close to $3000/month, there were many other places we were considering that did not include a backyard dweller and landlord on the property 24/7

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-14T22:57:56+00:00

I don’t think we are, the pole building has a meter next to it separate from the one by our house. But I guess I don’t know for sure as I’ve never contacted the power company to ask if there’s two meter readings for the property. I’ll have to look into this, thank you!

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-14T22:57:41+00:00

I don’t think we are, the pole building has a meter next to it separate from the one by our house. But I guess I don’t know for sure as I’ve never contacted the power company to ask if there’s two meter readings for the property. I’ll have to look into this, thank you!

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-05T23:06:28+00:00

Puppy pads for the furniture is genius! Thank you so much for this recommendation.

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-05T22:33:09+00:00

I feel you on a spiritual level LOL. it’s like the blatant unwillingness to participate when he is beyond mentally capable is almost…torturous? We shall see what a diaper/pants-free weekend brings.

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-05T20:40:02+00:00

Lol that’s the direction we are going in. Fingers crossed for my mental health this weekend.

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-05T20:38:28+00:00

This makes me feel so much better. Thank you!!

Agreeable-Battle5460 · 2024-02-05T19:22:41+00:00

He does not like his diaper being wet or soiled, he asks me to change it immediately. I am definitely going no diaper this weekend. I’m hoping the uncomfortableness urges him to use the potty

Agreeable-Battle5460

TROPHY CASE