My landlord of 15 months verbally abused my 11 yr. daughter on the phone calling her obscene names, then did the same to me when I called to ask him about it. I filed a report with the police and he has been contacted about his statement. He then called my house at almost midnight and hung up.(it is on my caller i.d.) We are on a lease to own, and it's states in our contract that we pay $300.00 additional towards a down payment when we buy. Seriously, I am afraid of him now and want out! My daughter doesn't want to come home because he scared her so bad. Can I try and get the money from him that we have paid? I honestly don't want to be in this house anymore after his out of control behavior and threats he has made. I don't feel safe, and frankly I don't want anymore to do with him. Any advice?
Thank you,

Being forced out in Ohio


P.S. I don't want my rent money back, just the money I have paid in addition to my monthly rent (300.00 permonth for 15 months) that was supposed to go towards a down payment to purchase the house> If we don't buy the house, we lose the money. However, I don't want to buy the house now because of his actions.

Such conduct has become "Socially Acceptable" in todays' world (only Heaven knows how... ) I'm not sure if he could be sued for child abuse or not, intimidation and threatening are also illegal. I'd check with an Attorney or knowledgeable legal advise.

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Originally Posted by rsain2004

Such conduct has become "Socially Acceptable" in todays' world (only Heaven knows how...) I'm not sure if he could be sued for child abuse or not, intimidation and threatening are also illegal. I'd check with an Attorney or knowledgable legal advise.

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Got go disagree with you - calling a child obscene names (and calling an adult tenant obscene names) and harassing people via telephone at Midnight is not socially acceptable and/or legal anywhere.

No, it's not child abuse.

If you can prove your allegations, I think you can get out of the deal and get back the extra you paid every month toward the purchase. I would think an Attorney could send a very carefully worded letter and the landlord would have to be very foolish not to agree to cancel the deal and return the $300/month. You aren't asking for the rent back (if I read you correctly) because you did live there but I don't think you are being unreasonable.

If the Attorney is really "hungry" and your daughter is having emotional problems over the whole episode he/she might also throw that in - but those cases are very difficult to prove. Obviously - keep records as things progress and keep calling the Police.

You might attempt to resolve this yourself but if your landlord behaves this way with a child I would be concerned for myself on several levels.