I live in a 2 bedroom lower apartment in a 2 floor house. The landlords live above us and are retired. I have a girlfriend and she has a 10 year old son living here with me, we got the place together.
The landlords have been getting a discount on school taxes over the years as they have qualified for the STAR program and no longer have children of their own living with them. So the town gives them a discounted percentage off school taxes.
Back in April the Landlords recieved a letter from the town stating that they do not qualify for the percentage off anymore because they have a school age child living in the residence. Even though the residence is 2 seperate apartments, one upper, one lower. They said they went to the town to dispute it but they would not do anything about it.
They had until May 25th to contest it, we found out that same week of the deadline-that's when they told us about it and said they just forgot about it.
They have been renting the apartment we occupy for years along with a house they own next door that has the same setup. We have been living here for 2 & 1/2 years to date.
I honestly feel that the school taxes should already be figured into the rent of our place without any additional charges. (They want to raise our rent $40/month more from $595. Already) I feel that their dispute is with the town and not us about the whole thing and that we should not be required to have to pay any extra.) We pay for electric, heat, phone, all utilities except garbage and water-but that also should be included within the rent fee.
We are on a month to month rent basis as per our lease agreement we signed 2 & 1/2 years ago. We need to give 30 days notice if we move in writing. But I feel they will keep our security deposit of $680. If we do move out within the next 60 days or so.
We need a place with more room and cheaper. We have been looking and $595. Is not the going rate for our town. (As our landlords told us it was). They also told us we wouldn't find another place for cheaper than $640. For a 2 bedroom.) We already have found several places we just have to look at them now.
I just want to know what we are legally able to do about this whole situation if they decide to drag us to court for the school tax percentage they lost because we were renting from them and the town decided to take it away from them.
I would also like to just know if it is just us that thinks this is not right or if anyone else feels the same way.
Thank You for listening.
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