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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
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    5

    Default Landlord Threatening to Evict Based on Nonpayment of a Bill She Won't Provide

    My question involves an eviction in the state of: Ohio

    My landlord's agent is threatening to evict me because I have not paid her money she refuses to provide documentation for. Long story inbound:

    My landlord's agent left a handwritten note on my back door a couple of months ago alleging I owed her $120.00 for a water bill and an unnamed amount for "fines" incurred by my lawn. Having never heard a thing about this, I called her to find out what was going on. She alleged that she left "countless notices" on our door and that we had neglected to contact her. I've never received one of these "countless notices," which were later determined to be handwritten notes that she tucked in the door, when the lease specifies all notices MUST be sent certified mail. Whether they blew away or she tucked them in, photographed them, and removed them I am not sure, I just know I did not receive them at all. The water bill was a bit of a clerical error on the City's part, so we only received a disconnect notice for nonpayment in the owner's name. When we called the city to figure out the issue, it had already been paid, and we told her that we would be fine paying it if she could verify the amount they paid the city because the bill we were issued was for $89.39, not $120. She said she would provide that and the documentation for the fines, though I am not sure if we are responsible for them because she alleged that they were for "trash" - she left a car door and a broken table in our backyard when we moved in, we have moved them to a different spot but I do not find it to be my responsibility to dispose of her items. Still, I didn't hear from her in over a month. We never received documentation of anything.

    Out of the blue, I get a text message from her saying we need to add the $102 (not $120 like she originally stated) to our rent for this month. I did not respond to this message.

    Yesterday, I got a text message from her berating me for not paying the $92 (not $102 or $120) on top of my rent for the water bill. I again asked her for confirmation of the amount with a copy of the bill, and told her that I would pay it once I could confirm the amount. She told me that she "would get it when she could" but that I still owed the $90 (not $92, $102, or $120). Finally she sent me a picture of the bill, confirming the $89.39, and stating that "it's ridiculous I expected her to provide it, when I already had a copy." I asked her about the varying amounts and whether I would be receiving documentation for these fines I had asked her for, to which she said she would "drop it on my porch." I asked her to please mail them, because when she just leaves things I usually don't get them, and she refused. I am not sure if that counts as a breach of the lease because they are documents verifying an amount she wants instead of a notice, but I digress. I asked her again to please mail them, and was told that if I did not stop being a pain in her ass that I would be served a 3-day notice tomorrow (today) when she came to drop these documents off.

    Today, I took the day off from work to be here when she shows up so I can verify I am getting this documentation, and she never showed up. I gave her a call and she claims that her son broke his ankle so she wasn't able to come down today. I informed her that I need this documentation, and that she can just put it in the mail and not have to make a drive out here to hand it to me, and she refused. She berated me for not having paid the water bill yet, which I informed her I would provide her a check for when she comes to deliver this documentation because I was unable to drive to the bank today. She told me that she'd get me the documents "whenever (she) could" and proceeded to cuss me out about how I don't get to tell her what to do and how I need to stop acting like such a bitch and be an adult. I am not sure if when she finally drags herself out here she will hold true to delivering that notice or not, but I have tried to reason with her and pay her for what she alleges I owe and she is making it very difficult. Honestly at this point I doubt I will ever see any of this documentation, and that she is just going to try to evict me because she is sick of me needling her to provide it.

    Do I have any recourse at all? Honestly, I am sick of dealing with her at this point and would be amicable to just breaking the lease on even terms and moving on, but I have a feeling we are going to end up in court. We pay our rent on time every month, and pretty much keep to ourselves, so I don't know if she is even required to provide a 3-day or a 30-day notice from what I was reading. Any insight is appreciated.

  2. #2
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    Sep 2005
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    Default Re: Landlord Threatening to Evict Based on Nonpayment of a Bill She Won't Provide

    It's time to stop making excuses. You know how much you owe for the water. Pay it.

  3. #3
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    Nov 2014
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    5

    Default Re: Landlord Threatening to Evict Based on Nonpayment of a Bill She Won't Provide

    The water is not the issue, as I said she was getting the water no matter what but since the city made an error the first time I wanted to confirm the amount because she would not provide me with one consistently. When she said she would drop off documents I told her I would give her a check. And I am more concerned about the "fine" she refuses to provide documentation for, or give me an amount on, that she wants to evict me over. My point being that if she doesn't provide me with any of it do I have any recourse because no, I do no know how much it/they are when I have said I would pay it if given an amount.

  4. #4
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    Dec 2012
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    Default Re: Landlord Threatening to Evict Based on Nonpayment of a Bill She Won't Provide

    She is asking for the money for the water bill. You know this. You also know the amount that is owed. Quit playing games and pay this.

    Gail

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
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    5

    Default Re: Landlord Threatening to Evict Based on Nonpayment of a Bill She Won't Provide

    Can no one here read? I have offered her a check for the water bill that she has refused to come get because she is refusing to provide documentation for this unnammed amount she wants for a "fine." She is threatening me over nonpayment of an amount she refuses to provide, the water bill is not the main issue though the fact that she was trying to weasel extra money out of me by quoting me different amounts made me request verification. I am not going to tell her I will pay her $120 and only provide $89 because that makes it look like I am refusing to pay the full amount when for all I know she received a bill with a different amount. But she has been OFFERED PAYMENT FOR THIS and has not taken it, instead opting for threats over documentation she refuses to provide.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Landlord Threatening to Evict Based on Nonpayment of a Bill She Won't Provide

    We have read your excuses for not paying the money that you know that you owe. We simply don't find them compelling.

    If the water bill is not the main issue, stop playing games and pay the bill. Then you can worry about whatever it is you believe to be "the main issue" without the potential for being evicted.

  7. #7
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    Nov 2014
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    5

    Default Re: Landlord Threatening to Evict Based on Nonpayment of a Bill She Won't Provide

    I don't know what I did not make clear. She is refusing to provide documentation for an unnamed fine she wants paid, and when asked to provide that documentation threatened me with eviction because providing it is an inconvenience for her. I cannot miracle knowledge of an amount non disclosed.

    Water bill is paid, but the fact that she was seeking to extort an extra 30$ from me initially does not seem legal. That is why I wanted a confirmed, true amount before paying it. I again do not understand where that is unreasonable.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
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    672

    Default Re: Landlord Threatening to Evict Based on Nonpayment of a Bill She Won't Provide

    I admit I'm confused. Have you paid the $89.39 to the landlord? In your last post, last paragraph, you say the water bill is paid, but that you "wanted a confirmed, true amount before paying it." Do you mean it was paid by the landlord, but not reimbursed by you?

    In your first post you wrote, "When we called the city to figure out the issue, it had already been paid, and we told her that we would be fine paying it if she could verify the amount they paid the city because the bill we were issued was for $89.39." That sees to me sufficient conformation of the amount owed. It were my problem, I would get a money order (so I could document immediately), mail it certified/delivery confirmation to the landlord, and wait for the documentation for any additional fines/fees required. Seems to me that until you pay the basic amount, you are in the wrong. Just my opinion, of course.

  9. #9
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    Nov 2014
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    Default Re: Landlord Threatening to Evict Based on Nonpayment of a Bill She Won't Provide

    She has been paid after providing me a copy of her bill, but because she originally asked me for $120.00 (and then changed it three times) I wanted to know what they paid. The city declined payment from me and just said the account was "paid current." Because Brian (the owner of the house) was the one they billed they would not give me an actual amount, just that it was paid current. Because the amount she gave me was not the one I was billed, I offered her reimbursement based on whatever bill/receipt that could be provided since I could not verify what she paid. She declined to provide it until Tuesday, so I declined to pay her until Wednesday because I did not want to have her come back at me demanding an extra $30 and having no documentation to back it up.

  10. #10
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    Jan 2006
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    Default Re: Landlord Threatening to Evict Based on Nonpayment of a Bill She Won't Provide

    Quote Quoting fatality
    View Post
    She has been paid after providing me a copy of her bill, but because she originally asked me for $120.00 (and then changed it three times) I wanted to know what they paid. The city declined payment from me and just said the account was "paid current." Because Brian (the owner of the house) was the one they billed they would not give me an actual amount, just that it was paid current. Because the amount she gave me was not the one I was billed, I offered her reimbursement based on whatever bill/receipt that could be provided since I could not verify what she paid. She declined to provide it until Tuesday, so I declined to pay her until Wednesday because I did not want to have her come back at me demanding an extra $30 and having no documentation to back it up.
    so don't pay the additional $30 unless there is documentation supporting the validity of the fee/fine. If she issues a 3 day pay or quit, remind her that she has failed to provide the documentation. If she continues the eviction, go to court and state your case. Just because they file an eviction does not mean it will be granted. If there is no valid basis for the eviction, the courts will deny it.

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