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tab1djfan · Jan 5, 2006, 02:02 PM

Question: I am currently renting a house with a very vague lease (just basically says start date and how much a month). When I moved in I was under the impression that the owner was going to be moving all of his stuff out when I moved in. However 6 months later he still has items in all rooms in the basement, 7 cars in the yards, and I do not have access to the garage or barn (it too is full of his items). Also the utilities are all in my name but he continues to come over on a nightly basis and work on cars in the heated/lighted barn. Can he legally do this? Do I have the right to start to deduct rent being that my utilities are being used and I do not have access to a full house? I have asked him to remove the stuff a couple of times and he has never said anything about it. Also I tried to combine it down to one room and he just got pissed at me for touching his stuff. Any advice would be wonderful as I am tired of being a storage warehouse.
Thanks!

Chery · Jan 5, 2006, 02:21 PM

I would talk to him about it, or draft up a new rental agreement and ask him what he thinks of it so that you can print the final document for signature. If he bulks at this, then you should seek legal assistance, or move out - because if he does not agree to take his stuff out and share in the utilities, he's using you and will probably throw you out if you move his stuff on your own, unless you talked about it earlier. I think the draft should also include a suspense date specifying the exact date that you will be able to fully use the finally emptied space you are paying for - that way if he signs it and does not take his stuff out to make room, you'll be able to move it out without repercussions. Good Luck.

CaptainForest · Jan 5, 2006, 03:38 PM

Get a new lease. Re-do your current lease or move out. That will save you the headache.

That being said, details are always important.

As a renter, you control the property.

You say he’s using the power in the barn? So cut off the power to the barn. Put all of his stuff in one room. Perhaps the barn. If he tries to kick you out, he will have to give you at least 30 (or 60 or whatever, depending where you live) days notice.

SIGN A NEW LEASE WITH HIM OR FIND A NEW PLACE. And next time, make sure ALL details are in the lease.