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NightFire · May 15, 2007, 01:41 PM

I'm renting a house in Lansing, Michigan.

I'm medically retired from the military, the landlord has known since I moved in I was disabled.

I gave notice on 27 April 2007 that I would be moving at the end of my lease, on 1 Aug 2007.

When the landlord received notice, they put my house back on the market for selling, and have started showing it to prospective buyers.

The problem here is that I am schizophrenic, and cannot tolerate people around me. It causes me to have episodes. We can't even have friends come over because of how badly it can be at times.

I also have a damaged heart, and the anxiety and stress causes heart problems as well. My wife notified them of the issue, and let them know I was hospitalized because of the previous house showing. They said I should just be out of the house when they show it.

The VA and Social Security have deemed me as unemployable because of my mental condition and not being able to be around people. I receive SSD and VA benefits.

Things have been decent until now. They have been prompt with any issues we have had and I don't want to make things ugly, but this affects my mental and physical well being. What recourse do I have?

The lease does state that they may show the house with verbal notice, and they have given us 1 day notice each time by calling us.

tickle · May 15, 2007, 01:48 PM

It seems they have complied and given you notice of viewing, I can empathize with your disabilities but I would suggest you follow their instructions and just go out for a while while the property is being viewed. This whole procedure will eventually take care of itself once the property is rented and you both respect each other.

Squiffy · May 15, 2007, 01:54 PM

Disabled tenants don't have many more rights than non disabled ones. They are complying with the lease that you signed, any issues about this should have been raised at the time you signed the lease and have it amended! All you can really do now is stay away when they are showing it. You can't really expect them to lose money by having it empty once you move out? It's their salary after all. You could try asking them to give you more notice, or arrange viewings for times when it is easy for you to get out of the house, that might help.

NightFire · May 15, 2007, 02:23 PM

At the time I signed the lease, I didn't think it would be such an issue to have the house shown, but my mental condition continues to deteriorate.

I am not able to go out into public without risk of hallucinations, which could put myself and those around me in danger. I do not leave my house unless it is mandatory and always under supervision.

I live a very structured lifestyle, and breaking from it in any way causes significant anxiety, which triggers my schizophrenia.

Squiffy · May 15, 2007, 02:33 PM

Ask for viewings to be arranged when you can go out under supervision then. Or maybe it would be easier to just pay for an extra month rents so your landlord doesn't lose out when it comes to you leaving, he can then bring people round while you are living elsewhere. Its expense, but a compromise one. Landlords run a business, and while they are probably sympathetic to your problems, they can't often afford to lose out financially because of it, and I very much doubt there is a law that would make them have to. Would it not be possible to discuss it with your landlord, see what they can suggest as a suitable compromise?My partner has severe mental health problems and he can get himself admitted to a hospital for a while if he needs to, would this be a solution for you, just to make things easier for a few weeks?

shygrneyzs · May 15, 2007, 02:40 PM

It sounds like you have a partner that can assist you getting out of the house. Is this correct? So what happens if you go out in the vehicle and just go for a drive, or stop at a park or someplace that is not going to disturb you? Or, like Squiffy stated, offer to pay the extra month so that they can show the house without you being there. Yes, it is an added expense, but your health seems to dictate all your ability to manage your day.

Are you sure you are safe under the conditions you are living in now?

NightFire · May 15, 2007, 02:57 PM

They show the house 3 times a week... I've made compromises, but I still have over 2 months left of this. It makes me regret letting them know I wasn't renewing my lease as early as I did...

Thank you all for your input, it reaffirmed what I was thinking.