I rent a room in orange county, Ca. I think the landlord is harassing us. She makes up rules at the spur of the moment and says its her house and she can do anything she wants and if we don't like it we can move. She will also threaten to call the police. She puts a note on the fridge that says no one is allow to use the kitchen after 11pm. She took the grill tray's out of the oven and all of a sudden no one can use the oven etc. I won't list all she has done. She doesn't give a reason for some changes, other than its her house, if we don't like it, then get out. I want to know, would these things be considered harassment? What is the law concerning changing terms of the rent agreement and does anybody know were we can go to see the laws for this type of stuff? We have a rent agreement that allows full kitchen privilege w/o no set time when we can use it. When she wants to change something she always ends up saying if we don't do what she wants she will evict us and/or call the police. We are considering suing her. We want to make sure we are on, as much as possible, solid ground. We think she is doing these things to force us to move, which I understand is against the law. Thank you all for your help.

Daniel

Hello D:

I suspect you don't have a lease. If so, she doesn't need to harass you to have you leave. All she needs to do is give you notice.

But, I'd move anyway. Who wants to live with a person like that?

excon

Thanks for the reply. Yes, we do have a rental agreement, as I stated. That's, what I think is the reason for harassing usto try and get us out. She is a strange one. I'd love to move, but I'm living on SS and by the time I pay rent, and other things, like food, & gas, its just not possible to put any money away to save for a move. I'm waiting for my sec 8, then it won't be a problem. In the mean time, we want to do whatever we can to stop the drama. We do our best to stay away from her as much as possible. The rooms are great, Lrg, furnished, and ea. one has their own private bath, and the rent is really cheap. Nothing like is anywhere. So me and the other guy who rents a room would like to stay if possible, and feel we have rights, if enforced, will make this a happy home :-) Thanks Excon.

Thanks for the reply. Yes, we do have a rental aggreement...... and feel we have rights, if enforced, will make this a happy home :-) Hello again, m:

I suspect your rental agreement is a month to month at most. As a roomer, it might even be week to week. If so, you can be given notice to vacate in 30 days or less. Yes, it's true - while you live there, there are certain rules she needs to follow, and it appears she hasn't. That's all well and good, because if you complain, she doesn't have to change a thing. All she has to do is give you notice, which is what I said before.

It's possible that you have a LONGER rental agreement than that. If so, tell us, please.

excon

Yes, our agreement is month to month. What state are you in excon? I have done more research and It's my understanding that in calif. in my city, a landlord can just give notice if I were a lone renter, but if there are more than one,and there is, they must go through the eviction process. Even if a renter complains or makes request for the landlord to stop violating our rights, if the landlord then does anything to try and force us to move, or continue's to harass, we then can sue or if serious enough, even get a restraining order. I've also found info on how to fight an eviction if you feel you are in the right. I have also been advised, to first write the landlord a demand letter to stop the harassment or a suit will follow. I'm told to list, for her, the things she has done that are considered to be illegal harassment. If there are things that need to be returned or put back in working order then I am to list those also. So that's what I'm going to do first, is write that letter and send it by registered mail. I will continue to give updates on this site in case there are others who could use the experience. If you have any other advice or information that would be helpful, please let me know.

They have to give you notice, then if you refuse to follow that notice, they have to evict you ( same in all US states) if of course you refuse to follow the notice, and they take you to court, there is a record of that court action that follows your future desire to rent at other places.

They can not just change the rules, ( they can with a 30 day notice) if you follow them, then you accept them, if you don't follow them, there is nothing the landlord can do