Landlord over the top

[schmidty]

What is the name of your state?CT
Out last landlord lost his house to foreclosure not telling us and forcing us out. We found our current residence through my boss. About 5 days before we were suppose to move in the new landlord informed us that He would not furnish a stove as he said he would but would buy it and let us pay him back, he also said he was leaving two dressers and a headboard behind that we could not get rid of and had to keep in the house. We needed a place and agreed (at least they weren't junky). He also left a ton of crap in the basement we had to have removed. We did tons of land scaping on the place having trees removed and limbs cleared. I had $200 of electrical put in and had the phone lines redone adding three more lines one of them dedicated DSL. He came out to get the rent January telling us that he was moving back in March and would only give us a two month lease. We did not want to sign this lease which would hold us till March so we are free to find a new place. This is where my questions lay.
1. We wanted to tell him to keep the security, stove (which he said he would give us $200 in writing if we didn't want it when we move), and all the work we did for the last months rent and call it even. Do I have any legal weight in this proposal.
2. He just sent us a letter stating he is going to proceed with eviction (just to be an jerk). I'm made because we are leaving as he wished in March with out a fight. I don't want this to tarnish my name. What recourse do I have? I also thought about sending him a letter telling him if he proceeds with his harasment I will be forced to call the zoning board and report the room he put in the basement with out permits and rezoning (he just happened to tell me this one day in talking).
Any good legal advice would be appreciated.

 

[schmidty]

I forgot to add that he had us pay for water and sewage which was ok but he did not tell us there was a lease charge for his hot water heater that we have been paying the whole time. Can he legally make us pay that expecially with out notifying us? Also he came down a month before he told us we had to leave and brought his boat trailer stating it was his property and he could store what ever he wanted there. I had been parking my car at the end of the driveway where the trailer is now. I either have to leave my car in the road and go get the keys to my wifes car and back it out of the driveway to park mine in front. Or I got to get up at 5 am and move my car so she can got to work if I park in back. Can he do this?

 

[JETX]

1. We wanted to tell him to keep the security, stove (which he said he would give us $200 in writing if we didn't want it when we move), and all the work we did for the last months rent and call it even. Do I have any legal weight in this proposal.

You can certainly try to negotiate that, but there is no legal requirement that the landlord agree.

2. He just sent us a letter stating he is going to proceed with eviction (just to be an jerk). I'm made because we are leaving as he wished in March with out a fight. I don't want this to tarnish my name. What recourse do I have?

Your post doesn't say what the basis for eviction is, but presumably, you have stopped paying rent. If that is the case, your only recourse to prevent this 'tarnishment' is to comply with the lease and pay your rent, in full and on time.

I also thought about sending him a letter telling him if he proceeds with his harasment I will be forced to call the zoning board and report the room he put in the basement with out permits and rezoning (he just happened to tell me this one day in talking).

Don't do it. There is simply no upside to getting into a 'pissing' contest that you have no chance of winning. If you want, wait until you are completely out of the property, deposit returned (if applicable), etc., THEN call the zoning board.

 

[schmidty]

I don't know his reason for starting an evicition. We paid January 15th rent and next payment not due till Feb 15th. May because we did not sign the two month lease he wanted us to sign. We told him it was because we wanted to be able to move as soon as we found a place. I got three kids and till March 15th to find a place. I'm not gonna wait till the last minute and ask a potential landloard to have to wait 45-60 days to get his money so I can move in. If I find a place tomorrow and he wants it rented tomorrow we are gone.

 

[schmidty]

In the letter he sent us informing us he would be starting the eviction process he said we had to reply in 10 days, so I would guess I have to say something in response to his letter. I don't want this to go against me. I have been a good tenent for 3 years and have probably doubled his property value in all the landscaping we did. I just don't want to get bullied here by him cause I am not doing exactly as he says. He is that kind of person.

 

[JETX]

Your post is confusing.... or your landlord is.
If you are current in your rent and are in full compliance with your lease, the courts will not agree to his eviction proceedings.
However, you also say that you are no longer 'protected' by a term lease.

As such, I think it may be more accurate to say that your landlord has decided to terminate your 'at will' month-to-month lease and is ignorant of the process.... and trying to use an 'eviction' to do so.

If correct, the landlord has the right to terminate your at will lease, with a 30 day written notice to you (not the 10 day he has apparently tried to apply).

I suggest you read the information at the following site(s) and try to 'educate' your landlord on the proper processes:
http://www.larcc.org/pamphlets/housing/tr_general_information.htm
http://www.larcc.org/pamphlets/housing/tr_eviction.htm

 

[HomeGuru]

And I hope the post by JETX clears things up.

 

[treese]

If your Landlord is "terminating" your month to month tenancy and then evicting, there are very specific steps that he MUST take in order to obtain a lawful "Lapse of Time" eviction against you.

This is Connecticut's Guide to the Summary (Eviction) Process
http://www.jud.state.ct.us/Publications/landlordguide.pdf

Do not plan to use your security deposit for the last month's rent, it is against the Connecticut General Statutes to do so.

Pay him as normally, if you do not, he can begin the process to evict you for Non-payment.

Your only response to his letter should be that you are planning on vacating the apartment as he requested and agreed upon. If it is a Summons from Housing Court, you must respond.

Jetx is correct ... Do not even bother to bring up zoning either orally, or in writing. It is not worth it.