Renter -Landlord is tenting/termites/fumigati... My rights?
Frankly I am insulted.
In light of the tremendous inconvience to all of us tennants, his letter concludes with a statement reminding us of the tremendous cost this process comes to him. I call it the cost of doing business. Is there a specific ratio of rent that is appropriate in this case to put us up in a hotel? Something legal? Never mind that I find the whole idea just discusting. Thanks
Answers:
To be honest, he doesn't have to put you up in a motel or anywhere at his cost. Nor, because you do business out of your apt(your choice), does he have to compensate you for lost time. He is being nice by offering you some compensation, whether you think it is "ridiculously small" or not. Take it and be grateful he even offered. He didn't have to.
You may want to check into Renters insurance. If a pipe breaks and ruins anything in your apt, including a computer if you use one in your business, he is not responsible to replace it either. Rental insurance would have covered your motel stay in this case and will protect your belongings in case of an accident like the pipe scenario I mentioned above. And its cheap. The only insurance your landlord has is for the structure of the building.
Fumigation is for your protection and his. Be glad he is not a slum lord and didn't care if you live with bugs. There is nothing disgusting about anything in the story you just told. He is doing his job. Co-operate or find yourself another apt. If you give him alot of BS about this, you may find yourself evicted as a "problem" tenant who gripes about the smallest thing. And trust me, this is small only because you are making it that way.
I don't know that there is any specific "ratio" of rent as you suggest. You could think of your "ratio" as 2 days out of a 30 day month (or 1/15) multipied by your rent. But, that would probably yield a pretty low number compared to standard rates at hotels.
He should be required to cover the cost of a "standard" room at a reasonably priced hotel (2 or 2.5 stars) within let's say 10 miles of your apartment. I would look up such hotels in your area and get rates via the Internet from at least three of them for the specific nights that you will be required to be out of the apartment (don't worry about discounts,etc., just get the standard rack rates). Print them out and keep a copy for yourself. Stay at one of the three and then deduct the actual amount that you paid from your rent. Send him a copy of your actual bill at checkout (including taxes) along with a copy of the similar nightly rates quoted at the other hotels.
Unfortunately, I don't think that there is much you can do about the fact that you work from home. But, if the amount that he is offering will not cover a reasonable hotel room, then to hell with that. Just don't expect to send him a bill for a suite at the Ritz and have him agree to it.
Termite fumigation is considered maintenance of the property and, whether or not you find it disgusting, it is appropriate to protect the value of the property. There are no rules or regulations relative to rental rebates for not being able to inhabit the property for a couple of nights. However, I would think it reasonable for him to accommodate your expense at a local lodging facility. He might even consider arranging for such accommodations for you.
As far as his letter indicating that this is coming at tremendous cost to him, that's part of the game for him. No different than replacing an expensive roof when the time arrives. Your work interruption is also 'part of the game'. If you did similar work at an office complex which had to be fumigated to protect it, you would suffer the same inconvenience. Cooperation is expected when such situations arise.
Talk with him reasonably and see if you can arrange a decent settlement with him. He might be more accommodating that you are imagining.
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