On Saturday, April 4th I stopped by the rental office at Indian Footprints Apartments to inform the property manager that I would be late on my rent this month, but would have the money to her no later than April 10th.
Initially there did not appear to be anyone at the rental office. As I turned to walk away, the property manager called to me from her vehicle as she was about to drive away, asking if I needed anything.
I informed her of the situation and apologized that my rent would be late and that I understood that there was a late fee involved, and that I was more than willing to pay this in addition to my rent.
The property manager was very understanding and informed me that as long as rent was received by April 15th, that no eviction proceedings would be initiated. I thanked her and considered the matter resolved to our mutual satisfaction.
Three days later, my wife comes home from work to discover a generic form letter on our door reading:
You are being asked to leave the premises. If you do not leave, an eviction action may be initiated against you. If you are in doubt regarding your legal rights and obligations as a tenant, it is recommended that you seek legal assistance.
In the letter, the ground listed are non-payment of rent with the promise that an eviction notice will not be served in the event we contact the property manager within three days of todays date and promise to pay by the 15th.
We have every intention and desire of paying the rent that is due and the late fee. On Thursday I will gladly had them a check for the amount due. However, I do have serious concerns with a rental company whose representatives can indicate that they are willing to forbear nasty threats of eviction on a Saturday but on Tuesday have done a 180 degree turn. I find it difficult to trust them again when they promise not to file an official eviction notice if I pay by the 15th.
This is the first time we have been late on our rent payment and, provided Indian Footprints does not go back on their WRITTEN promise to forgo an eviction, will be the last. It will be the last because we will begin paying our rent in advance for the remainder of our lease and we will not be renewing our lease in September when it comes up for renewal.
All transactions done through Indian Footprints Apartments in Harrison Ohio, whether formal or informal, will subsequently be conducted exclusively in writing.
0 comments