Hot Lease-Breaking Action!!

Ice Cream Jonsey · Post by **Ice Cream Jonsey** » Thu Nov 14, 2002 11:07 pm

I came home from work today and saw one of those "do not distrub" signs on my doorknob. (My brother Mike made it in without noticing it.) I take a look at the thing, and it's from my landlording company.

They informed me that "The dish need to be removed from the roof, and the roof repaired."

Ah, does it now? Fantastic. Because I only, y'know, signed up with Directv for an entire year and all.

I've had it for about four months now, so it's nice to know that my landlord company is right on top of these things. I, of course, am absolutely offended that they would say such a thing. I've lived in this townhouse for three and a half years and have never called them up for any reason. (Well, one exception -- I woke up one day over the summer to find that I had no running water. I did call to see when the fuck my water would be back, but that was more of an informational call than a service call.) I take it as a matter of pride: I don't bother them, they don't bother me.

Well, I got me some arch-enemies now, dawg!!

I do kind of wonder what they are planning on doing about it, seeing how I will not life so much as a finger towards getting the dish off of the roof myself. Surely, so long as it was gone and everything was hunky-dory when I move out this summer at the normal end of my lease they wouldn't otherwise care less, right?

Anyway, here's my question for the assembled faithful: any of you guys ever break a lease? Was there any particular negatives about doing so? I'm 28 and really ought to be in the process of buying a house by now and all, but I was always cool with renting because it's not been a hassle.

k. roo · Post by **k. roo** » Fri Nov 15, 2002 3:20 pm

I'm about to, at the place I'm currently renting. My Russians are breeding, and there won't be no more house sharing with a wailer in the mix, nuh-uh. Anyways, it's going to cost us (them, of course - you fuck, you get fucked) our deposit. Since that's written in the lease, there isn't too much ambiguity about that.

Other places I've lived had different policies. Like, you can break a lease (and pay no penalty) if you show that you move more than 50 miles away (or out of state, as I've seen, too). So I don't think there's an osfa answer. If in doubt, read the fine print in your lease, it's likely to be written in there.

Ice Cream Jonsey · Post by **Ice Cream Jonsey** » Fri Nov 15, 2002 4:16 pm

Hmm. That seems a lot better than the policy I just found out that I am under. (Well, unless the security deposit was equal to a full month's rent or beyond, of course.) I am expected to pay a $175 lease fee and then sit there until either I find someone else to live there or they do. Somehow, I don't think that they are going to work particularly hard at finding someone to drop in there. I'm sure I wouldn't get my security deposit back until the lease I signed expires as they are just that kind of company. Argh.

k. roo · Post by **k. roo** » Mon Nov 18, 2002 10:52 am

Uh, where the hell do you live? Dreaming about security deposits of $175? Hello? Ours is 1 1/2 mo rent, or $2137.50, to be precise. And we got a deal there. The place I lived right before charged 2 months rent and it took several months of persistent mail threats to get that back after moving out. Ah, the perks of life in Jersey. Guess I'll be emigratin' to Colorado soon. Now if only I'd find me a job over there...

Ice Cream Jonsey · Post by **Ice Cream Jonsey** » Mon Nov 18, 2002 12:24 pm

Whoops, that should have been the "break the lease fee" which was $175. My security deposit was $800 (one month's rent is a few bucks under that).

(This is for a townhouse, I should add, not a real house or anything. )

k. roo · Post by **k. roo** » Wed Nov 20, 2002 6:24 pm

Update, just so nobody can reasonably call me an ignorant moron. Not that anyone cares, but hey.

Turns out that the really expensive version only kicks in when you just up and leave. If, however, you plan ahead and `buy' the option of breaking the lease for like $400 (exact number to be confirmed) at the time when you sign the lease, you can, in fact break it. And get the deposit back. Suposedly. If the seventh-grade jackass in the house hasn't demolished several drywall panels. Or the spaced-out `father' (and I use that term losely) of the family hasn't ruined the kitchen furniture by putting the glowing-red (because run out of water, you see) moka pot on any surface he could find. Help me, I'm losing my grammar here.

So this is what's going to happen. Russians will sign new lease in Jan, will pay ~$400, baby Russian will be here in Mar, then Russian Mom & baby & 12-yo p.i.t.a. will be shipped back to Mother Russia. Truth be told, I really was looking forward to them paying through the nose for fucking without protection out of sheer fucking ignorance. But that's just me. And then I'll find myself a cozy cottage somewhere in Jersey. I'd do NY or PA if it wasn't for the goddamn commute. Just for me. Me alone. No Russians this time. No. Am I fit for this? Maybe? Maybe not? Should this go to Lifetrax?? You be The Judge.

bruce · Post by **bruce** » Thu Nov 21, 2002 12:11 am

k. roo wrote:I'll find myself a cozy cottage somewhere in Jersey.

I kinda liked 95 Princeton-Hightstown Rd., Princeton Junction, NJ.

Adam

k. roo · Post by **k. roo** » Thu Nov 21, 2002 11:51 am

bruce wrote:I kinda liked 95 Princeton-Hightstown Rd., Princeton Junction, NJ.

I kinda didn't like 279 Washington Rd., as it put my bedroom window facing Rt. 1. Nor was I particularly overwhelmed by the GC. But anyways, you've just put another landmark on my map. Thanks.

bruce · Post by **bruce** » Thu Nov 21, 2002 3:30 pm

k. roo wrote:
bruce wrote:I kinda liked 95 Princeton-Hightstown Rd., Princeton Junction, NJ.
I kinda didn't like 279 Washington Rd., as it put my bedroom window facing Rt. 1. Nor was I particularly overwhelmed by the GC. But anyways, you've just put another landmark on my map. Thanks.

Well, as long as we're at it:

I spent 2 years living in the GC (2336, a horrible nasty 3d floor glass box, and Pyne Tower B, a terrific room). I also spent 2 years living in Hibben-Magie down by Lake Carnegie, with all the FUCKING GEESE.

Bruce

bruce · Post by **bruce** » Thu Nov 21, 2002 3:34 pm

k. roo wrote: I kinda didn't like 279 Washington Rd., as it put my bedroom window facing Rt. 1.

How much did you have to pay for it? 95 rt.571 was $1150 a month, but they jacked it to $1400 or so when we left. We did have a good-sized back yard, but no central air.

Bruce

Ice Cream Jonsey · Post by **Ice Cream Jonsey** » Thu Nov 21, 2002 3:40 pm

What's the first step when it comes to buying a house, anyway? Going to your bank and seeing if you qualify for a mortgage? I am utterly and totally without clue on any of this. I'm not necessarily trying to get the whole of the home buying experience laid out for me in a phpBB post, but ... you do just start by going to your bank, right?

Shit. Or do you contact a "realtor?" I'd better get on Google and get some definitions and instructions... stat!

Also, here's my contribution to the Russian thing: www.illmitch.com

bruce · Post by **bruce** » Thu Nov 21, 2002 3:46 pm

Ice Cream Jonsey wrote:What's the first step when it comes to buying a house, anyway? ... you do just start by going to your bank, right?

I'd go to a realtor first. These guys want to sell you a house, so they will help hook you up with someone likely to lend you money for a house. But these days rates are really low and I think it's pretty easy to get a home loan. You have a real steady job and all, right?

Anyway, we talked to a realtor, who helped us hook up with a bank who was happy to lend us the money.

Our current mortgage rate is 7%; you should be able to get near to 6%. When I'm convinced I can drop a full point I'm going to refinance again.

Bruce

Ice Cream Jonsey · Post by **Ice Cream Jonsey** » Thu Nov 21, 2002 4:02 pm

bruce wrote: I'd go to a realtor first. These guys want to sell you a house, so they will help hook you up with someone likely to lend you money for a house. But these days rates are really low and I think it's pretty easy to get a home loan. You have a real steady job and all, right?

That I do. As I have only myself to worry about, I gotta think that there's a good chance that I can find some place to live in the 40 miles between Fort Collins and Longmont. I don't care if I am near a school, I don't care if interiors match the carpet, which matches the drapes... I just want some place to hang out where I can run my cable modem and dish without getting hassled by the MAN.

Anyway, we talked to a realtor, who helped us hook up with a bank who was happy to lend us the money.

Our current mortgage rate is 7%; you should be able to get near to 6%. When I'm convinced I can drop a full point I'm going to refinance again.

Rock and roll! I use the sword! I'll see who is around and give them a call.

k. roo · Post by **k. roo** » Thu Nov 21, 2002 4:22 pm

bruce wrote:
k. roo wrote:279 Washington Rd.
How much did you have to pay for it?

As it was actually an annex, I never really knew, or was conscious of the rent. So I guess that doesn't answer your question. The house also has been torn down in 97 or 98. We were kicked out in 97, and we were told 1 was supposed to be made wider, but of course we all know that didn't happen.

But yeah, NGC 3330. Paper walls and steel doors. And a tree in front of the window to conveniently make reading during daytime impossible (without lights, that is). At least there was the floating naked lady around the corner...

Since I'll be looking come Feb/Mar, Princeton Junction is on my short list, what with the train station and all. I hear Lawrenceville is nice - but the drive, oh lord the drive.

Oh, and Jonsey, (since I don't get points here), ILL Mitch is much appreciated.

bruce · Post by **bruce** » Thu Nov 21, 2002 8:48 pm

k. roo wrote:Since I'll be looking come Feb/Mar, Princeton Junction is on my short list, what with the train station and all. I hear Lawrenceville is nice - but the drive, oh lord the drive.

Make sure that you're within walking or easy biking distance of the train station, because there's never parking there.

I just remembered what I miss about East Windsor: The Gamer's Realm. Great shop.

Bruce

bruce · Post by **bruce** » Thu Nov 21, 2002 8:51 pm

Ice Cream Jonsey wrote: That I do. As I have only myself to worry about, I gotta think that there's a good chance that I can find some place to live in the 40 miles between Fort Collins and Longmont. I don't care if I am near a school, I don't care if interiors match the carpet, which matches the drapes... I just want some place to hang out where I can run my cable modem and dish without getting hassled by the MAN.

I got a couple of pretty good friends in Longmont. It'd be cool if you became Dave & Vanessa's neighbor. Then we could all go hang in their hot tub. You like kids, right, and dogs?

Bruce

Ice Cream Jonsey · Post by **Ice Cream Jonsey** » Thu Nov 21, 2002 10:16 pm

bruce wrote: I got a couple of pretty good friends in Longmont. It'd be cool if you became Dave & Vanessa's neighbor. Then we could all go hang in their hot tub. You like kids, right, and dogs?

What, like with ketchup? Yeah.

(And without ketchup as well, HAQ HAQ HAQ)

Also: Holy Shit, I didn't know that you knew anyone in that town. Longmont! That's where I work!!! OMG!!! But seriously, if you ever go to meet Dave & Vanessa let me know.

I am going to ask around at work to see if anyone can recommend a realtor. The problem is, unless I get thrown out due to the satellite dish, I am stuck living here until the end of July. I have no idea if that's too much time or not enough time when it comes to closing a house.