Help me convince my testy landlady to let me continue to keep bikes inside!
September 20, 2011 8:12 AM Subscribe
How can I convince my soon-to-be landlady that keeping bikes inside will not result in damage or a bike-house apocalypse? She's strongly insisting that bikes (currently inside) be moved outside, where they will almost certainly be stolen, and at least damaged by rain/weather. (Long - Lots of context/details about testy maintenance issues with previous leaseholder inside.)
Context:
The person who holds the lease on our group house is moving out, and I've agreed to re-sign the lease, starting October 1. This previous person is a nice person, but has been a bit irresponsible at worst and lackidasical at best regarding house maintenance and upkeep. For example, on the irresponsible side, he broke off the porch stairs railing by hanging a hammock from it. On the general neglect side, the house was generally a bit grungy, the lawn hadn't been trimmed, the vegetable garden and patio was overgrown with vines, and there's a lot of clutter in the common areas and various bits and bobs like door handles have broken and not been replaced. The landlady is very unhappy about all of that, but it's carrying over to how she's interacting with me.
I am significantly neater and more maintenance oriented than the former lease-holder. Since I got here in August, I've scrubbed roofing tar off of the linoleum in the kitchen, tidied up the garden and patio, and am actively decluttering the house. The house is starting to look way nicer, and I have a lot more plans in this vein. The rolling-over housemates are on board for things to be more actively maintained.
However, the landlady is fed up with the previous leaseholder, and is insisting that "things must change." Up to a point, I agree with her, and am planning on being more active on maintenance and garden care than the departing leaseholder. We had a long conversation last night that reiterated these points, and contained about 20 minutes of the landlady complaining about the previous leaseholder's lack of maintenance.
The sticking point is bikes in the house. She had said in the past she wasn't happy about them, due to the scuff marks on the walls and apparently damage to the bannister. I get that - there are about 6 bikes all in a jumble right now. I planned to neaten up the bike area and hang my bike via one of these clever hooks, and make it actually organized and useful. There will be 2-3 bikes after the leaseholder moves out and the new housemate moves in.
However, the landlady called me in the morning and left me a very upset-sounding voicemail, insisting that all the bikes go outside immediately. This is not really an option for me - we live in DC where they will either be stolen or start rusting nearly immediately. There's no covered, secure area outside to put them, and no real spot to build one. I'm also not quite sure why she's so insistent on the bikes point - surely that is the point of a security deposit, to fix damages caused by the tenants? Cleaning, spackling and painting a wall is not that hard, and I'm happy to do that when my new lease is up. And I'm annoyed that she's trying to restrict where I keep my most valuable possession and only means of transport in the city.
QUESTION:
What's my best plan of attack? Given the testy relationship between the landlady and the moving-out leaseholder, what is most likely to yield the result I want, which is to keep my bike inside?
a) Try and convince my landlady that it IS possible to have bikes inside in a neater, cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing and non-damaging way? She's coming over Friday evening for a pre-inspection walkthrough, so I could talk with her then and demonstrate what I want do to to keep the bikes organized and the area nice. Possibly some kind of trial period where I can prove my bonafides and she can unruffle her feathers about the previously neglected maintenance?
PROS: Bikes inside and organized, she's persuaded as to my good qualities as a tenant. CONS: I'm VERY not sure she'll go for this
b) Don't raise the issue with her, move the bikes outside for the house inspection, then secretly move them back inside, keep them organized like I want, and make sure to remove the racks and repair any scuffs/damage before moving out?
PROS: less confrontation, I get to keep the bikes inside, I wouldn't be violating the lease unless she writes the no-bikes bit in. CONS: Secrecy, chance of arguments and bad faith if the landlady finds out.
c) Tell her that this is a dealbreaker and not sign the lease - not desirable, as it is a very tight rental market in DC, as evidenced by the flood of responses for the ad for the empty room.
Thanks for your help, and sorry for the length!
Context:
The person who holds the lease on our group house is moving out, and I've agreed to re-sign the lease, starting October 1. This previous person is a nice person, but has been a bit irresponsible at worst and lackidasical at best regarding house maintenance and upkeep. For example, on the irresponsible side, he broke off the porch stairs railing by hanging a hammock from it. On the general neglect side, the house was generally a bit grungy, the lawn hadn't been trimmed, the vegetable garden and patio was overgrown with vines, and there's a lot of clutter in the common areas and various bits and bobs like door handles have broken and not been replaced. The landlady is very unhappy about all of that, but it's carrying over to how she's interacting with me.
I am significantly neater and more maintenance oriented than the former lease-holder. Since I got here in August, I've scrubbed roofing tar off of the linoleum in the kitchen, tidied up the garden and patio, and am actively decluttering the house. The house is starting to look way nicer, and I have a lot more plans in this vein. The rolling-over housemates are on board for things to be more actively maintained.
However, the landlady is fed up with the previous leaseholder, and is insisting that "things must change." Up to a point, I agree with her, and am planning on being more active on maintenance and garden care than the departing leaseholder. We had a long conversation last night that reiterated these points, and contained about 20 minutes of the landlady complaining about the previous leaseholder's lack of maintenance.
The sticking point is bikes in the house. She had said in the past she wasn't happy about them, due to the scuff marks on the walls and apparently damage to the bannister. I get that - there are about 6 bikes all in a jumble right now. I planned to neaten up the bike area and hang my bike via one of these clever hooks, and make it actually organized and useful. There will be 2-3 bikes after the leaseholder moves out and the new housemate moves in.
However, the landlady called me in the morning and left me a very upset-sounding voicemail, insisting that all the bikes go outside immediately. This is not really an option for me - we live in DC where they will either be stolen or start rusting nearly immediately. There's no covered, secure area outside to put them, and no real spot to build one. I'm also not quite sure why she's so insistent on the bikes point - surely that is the point of a security deposit, to fix damages caused by the tenants? Cleaning, spackling and painting a wall is not that hard, and I'm happy to do that when my new lease is up. And I'm annoyed that she's trying to restrict where I keep my most valuable possession and only means of transport in the city.
QUESTION:
What's my best plan of attack? Given the testy relationship between the landlady and the moving-out leaseholder, what is most likely to yield the result I want, which is to keep my bike inside?
a) Try and convince my landlady that it IS possible to have bikes inside in a neater, cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing and non-damaging way? She's coming over Friday evening for a pre-inspection walkthrough, so I could talk with her then and demonstrate what I want do to to keep the bikes organized and the area nice. Possibly some kind of trial period where I can prove my bonafides and she can unruffle her feathers about the previously neglected maintenance?
PROS: Bikes inside and organized, she's persuaded as to my good qualities as a tenant. CONS: I'm VERY not sure she'll go for this
b) Don't raise the issue with her, move the bikes outside for the house inspection, then secretly move them back inside, keep them organized like I want, and make sure to remove the racks and repair any scuffs/damage before moving out?
PROS: less confrontation, I get to keep the bikes inside, I wouldn't be violating the lease unless she writes the no-bikes bit in. CONS: Secrecy, chance of arguments and bad faith if the landlady finds out.
c) Tell her that this is a dealbreaker and not sign the lease - not desirable, as it is a very tight rental market in DC, as evidenced by the flood of responses for the ad for the empty room.
Thanks for your help, and sorry for the length!
I would probably choose "B." It seems like the best and least confrontational option. Unless your landlady is over every day - and most aren't - you can keep the bikes inside and then put them out when she comes over. In many areas, the landlord/landlady is required to give notice before coming over and entering the premises so you'd have time to put the bikes outside before she arrives.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 8:21 AM on September 20, 2011
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 8:21 AM on September 20, 2011
I would go with B, as well. As far as writing a "no bikes" clause into the lease, I would question its legality. Check with your local renters' advocacy group, but I know in my area, landlords can't legally put such restrictions on tenants.
posted by brand-gnu at 8:23 AM on September 20, 2011
posted by brand-gnu at 8:23 AM on September 20, 2011
Is there a back door on the apartment? Can you bring the bikes in the back? Scuff marks on walls and a damaged bannister make it sound like you (the collective you) have been bringing the bikes in through the front door.
I lived in an apartment a few years ago (landlord lived on the first floor of the building) where bringing bikes in through the front was absolutely forbidden, for all the wall-scuffing and bannister-damaging reasons. We had a back door, and he was OK with bikes coming in through there, "as long as we were careful."
It was a lot easier to bring the bikes in through the front, though, and one of my roommates and her boyfriend insisted on bringing them in through the front every time, because they were both spoiled little assholes. And every single time they brought them in the front, my landlord (who, again, lived right there would catch them, because they made a tremendous racket, what with all the wall and bannister smacking, and come out and yell at them. Much drama ensued.
See if there's another option that will satisfy her (again, like a back door). Maybe even show her (and for chrissakes be careful!) how you carry your bike in each time, to demonstrate that the walls don't get touched.
Unless there's no chance at all that your landlady will see your bikes if you choose to go with option B, try to work everything out above board. It will make everyone's life much less stressful.
posted by phunniemee at 8:25 AM on September 20, 2011
I lived in an apartment a few years ago (landlord lived on the first floor of the building) where bringing bikes in through the front was absolutely forbidden, for all the wall-scuffing and bannister-damaging reasons. We had a back door, and he was OK with bikes coming in through there, "as long as we were careful."
It was a lot easier to bring the bikes in through the front, though, and one of my roommates and her boyfriend insisted on bringing them in through the front every time, because they were both spoiled little assholes. And every single time they brought them in the front, my landlord (who, again, lived right there would catch them, because they made a tremendous racket, what with all the wall and bannister smacking, and come out and yell at them. Much drama ensued.
See if there's another option that will satisfy her (again, like a back door). Maybe even show her (and for chrissakes be careful!) how you carry your bike in each time, to demonstrate that the walls don't get touched.
Unless there's no chance at all that your landlady will see your bikes if you choose to go with option B, try to work everything out above board. It will make everyone's life much less stressful.
posted by phunniemee at 8:25 AM on September 20, 2011
I would go with combination of A and C. Remind her you've not signed ANYTHING yet, and unless she allows bikes inside you absolutely will consider other apartments. This is your major leverage with her now and you have none once the ink on the lease is dry.
Say that you will allow a clause in the lease that says something like "all bike related damage must be repaired to original condition upon move out and bikes must be stored upright with hooks blah blah" OR even float the idea of a non-refundable portion of your security deposit specifically for bike wear-and-tear, say $50-$100 to cover scuffs and dings. If you live there for over a year that cost is nothing spread out between a few roommates.
posted by slow graffiti at 8:34 AM on September 20, 2011 [4 favorites]
Say that you will allow a clause in the lease that says something like "all bike related damage must be repaired to original condition upon move out and bikes must be stored upright with hooks blah blah" OR even float the idea of a non-refundable portion of your security deposit specifically for bike wear-and-tear, say $50-$100 to cover scuffs and dings. If you live there for over a year that cost is nothing spread out between a few roommates.
posted by slow graffiti at 8:34 AM on September 20, 2011 [4 favorites]
I would go with option B as well. It's none of the landlady's business what items you store in your residence as long as they aren't compromising the safety (blocking fire exits) or structural integrity (some places have restrictions on heavy safes or pianos) of the building.
posted by ghharr at 8:55 AM on September 20, 2011
posted by ghharr at 8:55 AM on September 20, 2011
Let her know your primary concern is your bikes not getting stolen. The best way for that to happen is to keep the bikes inside. The second best way for that to happen is for her to buy you all Kryptonite u-locks for your bikes.
posted by Jon_Evil at 8:57 AM on September 20, 2011
posted by Jon_Evil at 8:57 AM on September 20, 2011
Another problem with bikes inside (and I've seen this in several apartments as well as my current condo building, even though it's verboten) is the carpeting: bikes being wheeled inside deposit road salt/dirt/whathaveyou and mash it into the floor or carpets.
If you want to park your (the collective 'your'!) bikes in an entry hallway, could you lay down a protective plastic runner? Alternatively, for outside: could you put up one of those pre-fab shed from someplace like Home Depot, and use that for bicycle parking? You could keep it locked (with one key per biker); it would be more secure than on the porch, plus keep rain or snow off the bikes.
posted by easily confused at 9:23 AM on September 20, 2011 [1 favorite]
If you want to park your (the collective 'your'!) bikes in an entry hallway, could you lay down a protective plastic runner? Alternatively, for outside: could you put up one of those pre-fab shed from someplace like Home Depot, and use that for bicycle parking? You could keep it locked (with one key per biker); it would be more secure than on the porch, plus keep rain or snow off the bikes.
posted by easily confused at 9:23 AM on September 20, 2011 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks all for you comments so far! Just to address a few points:
I think the major concerns she has are scuffs on the walls the bikes are leaning on, and aesthetics of bikes in the living room. I'm 100% committed to making sure there's no bike-related damage when I move out, but I think complaining about the aesthetics is unreasonable. Overall she's being very aggressive about this.
There's nothing in the current lease prohibiting bikes inside, but there's nothing in the DC rental code prohibiting a no-bike-inside clause being added to the lease I'm signing Friday - I just checked with the City Tenants Advocacy Office, so thanks for that suggestion!
We bring the bikes in through the front door, and they currently live leaning up a big expanse of empty wall in the living room on a bunch of mats, directly after the front entry way. The wall is marked up from road dirt from the tires, but there's no damage to the floor/doors, due to the protective mats. Taking bikes up the back porch would require navigating a bent staircase, and taking the bike through more of the house - the kitchen and the dining room.
There's not really enough space on the patio for a shed - the patio is about 10 x 15. I'm equally concerned about thefts and weather damage, and the patio opens directly to my city alleyway where bike would be relatively exposed and unsupervised. The basement may be an option - it's one of the roommates space, but there is a separate entrance to it from outside.
posted by foodmapper at 9:36 AM on September 20, 2011
I think the major concerns she has are scuffs on the walls the bikes are leaning on, and aesthetics of bikes in the living room. I'm 100% committed to making sure there's no bike-related damage when I move out, but I think complaining about the aesthetics is unreasonable. Overall she's being very aggressive about this.
There's nothing in the current lease prohibiting bikes inside, but there's nothing in the DC rental code prohibiting a no-bike-inside clause being added to the lease I'm signing Friday - I just checked with the City Tenants Advocacy Office, so thanks for that suggestion!
We bring the bikes in through the front door, and they currently live leaning up a big expanse of empty wall in the living room on a bunch of mats, directly after the front entry way. The wall is marked up from road dirt from the tires, but there's no damage to the floor/doors, due to the protective mats. Taking bikes up the back porch would require navigating a bent staircase, and taking the bike through more of the house - the kitchen and the dining room.
There's not really enough space on the patio for a shed - the patio is about 10 x 15. I'm equally concerned about thefts and weather damage, and the patio opens directly to my city alleyway where bike would be relatively exposed and unsupervised. The basement may be an option - it's one of the roommates space, but there is a separate entrance to it from outside.
posted by foodmapper at 9:36 AM on September 20, 2011
I'd personally go with option B, but if you want to go with A, I think a bike stand like this would make her happier than the hooks. Downside is it takes up more floor space, but you won't be installing anything in the walls, the bikes won't be leaning up against anything she's worried about, and you won't be lifting them up and down from the wall on a daily basis.
posted by radiomayonnaise at 10:00 AM on September 20, 2011
posted by radiomayonnaise at 10:00 AM on September 20, 2011
Would it be worth offering a separate security deposit to guarantee the condition of the living room wall/floor and any areas of the home you'd need to traverse?
posted by bonobothegreat at 10:02 AM on September 20, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by bonobothegreat at 10:02 AM on September 20, 2011 [3 favorites]
Taking bikes up the back porch would require navigating a bent staircase, and taking the bike through more of the house - the kitchen and the dining room.
This was the case with us, as well, but the landlord was adamant, regardless of how little sense it made to us. The back door option is better than no bikes at all, right? I suggest bringing it up as a possibility when discussing the situation with your landlady.
posted by phunniemee at 10:06 AM on September 20, 2011
This was the case with us, as well, but the landlord was adamant, regardless of how little sense it made to us. The back door option is better than no bikes at all, right? I suggest bringing it up as a possibility when discussing the situation with your landlady.
posted by phunniemee at 10:06 AM on September 20, 2011
If it ain't in your lease she can't yell at you about it. And if it is in your lease she may not be able to even enforce it legally. I might actually call your local city and ask their view on it.
That being said: B
If you are worrying about some scuff marks I'm buy some of the thick rubber/plastic and nail it to the wall.
Now, do keep in mind that she may not be able to come in your place, but she can sure as shit drive by outside and see that there are no bikes there, or watch you bring them inside. It might be best to compromise and put up a $200 deposit for any damage. She can't charge you for normal wear and tear, but she could charge you if a pedal scraped the hell out of a wall.
posted by zombieApoc at 10:12 AM on September 20, 2011
That being said: B
If you are worrying about some scuff marks I'm buy some of the thick rubber/plastic and nail it to the wall.
Now, do keep in mind that she may not be able to come in your place, but she can sure as shit drive by outside and see that there are no bikes there, or watch you bring them inside. It might be best to compromise and put up a $200 deposit for any damage. She can't charge you for normal wear and tear, but she could charge you if a pedal scraped the hell out of a wall.
posted by zombieApoc at 10:12 AM on September 20, 2011
Best answer: Myself, I'd try a non-oppositional tack. As you say, it's possible for you to both get what you want (you: bikes not stolen or damaged, her: home not destroyed by bikes), so why make it a fight if it doesn't have to be?
Have her over, make a pot of coffee, and sit down and listen to what her worries and concerns are. (This way she can see how much more awesome the house is now than it used to be.) Acknowledge that the previous guy was a toolbox, and talk about how unhappy you were about the previous condition of the house and how excited you are about getting the chance to really keep the place nice. Then you can ask her specifically what her worries are, and see if you can address them head on (extra security deposit for bikes, extra clause in the lease that says that you'll handle all the work to make the space whole from any damage, anything like that).
If she still balks, then she has concerns that she's not raising, but if you open the conversation with "I really want my bikes inside because I'm concerned about theft and damage, but I am also 100% committed to keeping you comfortable with the idea, what can I do to make you feel as comfortable as you need to feel?" then it might be easier to come to an agreement.
posted by KathrynT at 10:27 AM on September 20, 2011 [2 favorites]
Have her over, make a pot of coffee, and sit down and listen to what her worries and concerns are. (This way she can see how much more awesome the house is now than it used to be.) Acknowledge that the previous guy was a toolbox, and talk about how unhappy you were about the previous condition of the house and how excited you are about getting the chance to really keep the place nice. Then you can ask her specifically what her worries are, and see if you can address them head on (extra security deposit for bikes, extra clause in the lease that says that you'll handle all the work to make the space whole from any damage, anything like that).
If she still balks, then she has concerns that she's not raising, but if you open the conversation with "I really want my bikes inside because I'm concerned about theft and damage, but I am also 100% committed to keeping you comfortable with the idea, what can I do to make you feel as comfortable as you need to feel?" then it might be easier to come to an agreement.
posted by KathrynT at 10:27 AM on September 20, 2011 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Rather than the bike hanger you're proposing, which damages the wall, what about a free-standing rack or two like this. Or the 4 bike version. If you have space and end up with more than 2 bikes, I'd go with two of the two-bike versions because that keeps the bikes away from the wall (= no scuffs). Don't know if you could get one set up before the walkthrough, but seeing that the bikes aren't touching the wall might help her be more amicable. I'd get that area 100% clean and repaired (painted?) before she comes so she can really see a change. If the bikes of the guy moving out are still there, move those outside, at least for the walkthrough, so she can see your version of the space. Just telling her you'll clean it isn't that persuasive. Showing that it can be cleaned and that you cleaned it and can now keep it that way will be much more persuasive.
I would probably also try a distraction technique and show her with maintenance plans for interior and exterior work and maybe even a cleaning schedule with different roommates assigned to different tasks. Something like, "Check furnace filter during first week of the month--Joe" or "Weed Patio and trim back growth monthly--Matt" or "Repair X by Oct. 1--Pat." Just something to show you're serious about changing things.
But really the best thing, I think, is to go crazy getting the place in shape by Friday, indoors and out. Replacing a few doorknobs and spending some time on the yard will be cheaper than moving if push comes to shove.
posted by BlooPen at 10:41 AM on September 20, 2011 [3 favorites]
I would probably also try a distraction technique and show her with maintenance plans for interior and exterior work and maybe even a cleaning schedule with different roommates assigned to different tasks. Something like, "Check furnace filter during first week of the month--Joe" or "Weed Patio and trim back growth monthly--Matt" or "Repair X by Oct. 1--Pat." Just something to show you're serious about changing things.
But really the best thing, I think, is to go crazy getting the place in shape by Friday, indoors and out. Replacing a few doorknobs and spending some time on the yard will be cheaper than moving if push comes to shove.
posted by BlooPen at 10:41 AM on September 20, 2011 [3 favorites]
I'm pretty sure a clause prohibiting bikes inside the unit would make as much legal sense as one prohibiting beds. Just sayin'. Use B, she's got an axe to grind about previous person so there's no reason to remind her to apply that anger towards your desire to have bikes stay in the house.
posted by rhizome at 10:42 AM on September 20, 2011
posted by rhizome at 10:42 AM on September 20, 2011
You sound handy, so I wonder if you could rig up some kind of barrier against the wall, to separate the bike rack (like the one sugested by BlooPen) from the wall itself, and to act as a "cushion" for little bumps and scrapes-- perhaps something like this white corrugated stuff? Combined with written agreement to repair any damage to the wall, should any occur even with a barrier, this might be compelling.
posted by girlpublisher at 10:53 AM on September 20, 2011
posted by girlpublisher at 10:53 AM on September 20, 2011
Best answer: I'm neither a renter nor a landlady, but I am a big fan of what KathrynT said, as well as the distraction approach mentioned by BlooPen when it comes to dealing with another person from whom you want something. What you want is not just to keep bikes inside, but to keep them inside without aggravating the landlady. The best way to make this happen is to find out what that's going to take, which happens by asking (while gently) guiding her toward the answer you're hoping for.
But, as in negotiating any item with a high price, it's always best to let the other party name their price first. She may be happy with less than you're willing to do, especially if the changes she sees upon her inspection are dramatic - so while I think offering an additional deposit or basement location as an option is a good idea, keep that in your back pocket while you work out the other details.
Because is insisting that "things must change.", when she comes, show her things have changed and are changing. You're already more active on maintenance and garden care than the departing leaseholder, and so ask her "What more can I do?" Turn her venting about the previous leaseholder (you have to get her off that train of thought) into giving some direction about how she can be satisfied, and her negative energy and attention toward the previous leaseholder will become positively attuned to you. You want her to stop being irritated by the mere idea of the bikes being in the house and you want her to start being comfortable that you're very aware of how responsible you have to be in order for this to happen. However, limit it as best you can - you don't want her directing the rest of your days there - only get a list of what her last few reservations are so that you can assume the lease comfortably and stand in good stead. Be able to prove you've met it.
Fix the damaged items, especially anything she's mentioned and especially where the bikes were and try out one of the racks with only the clean bikes that will be there, with a wall-protector, so she can see the improvement immediately. As you said, "Cleaning, spackling and painting a wall is not that hard, and I'm happy to do that when my new lease is up." - but doing it now takes away what seems to be her biggest concern. Why wait? Being annoyed that she's trying to restrict where you keep my most valuable possession and only means of transport in the city is not the attitude to have - this idea of keeping bikes in a living room may be something like a cultural divide. Some people would just never do that (me!), and the idea is repellent because living rooms are for traditional North American uses, like entertaining and relaxing and living - not storing vehicles. If your bike is your most valuable possession and your only means of transport, well, your apartment is a valuable possession of hers, and it's income to her. Reminding her that you know that, and that it's important to both of you to take care of these things helps you find a common ground.
And do a cleaning blitz. Take pictures, and look at the pictures to get an idea of what it looks like to a stranger (I swear, it helps). Declutter like mad, wash the windows and have a vase of fresh flowers and bake some cookies so the house smells great when she comes over. In essence, treat her like a guest in your home, when really, you're a guest in her home. Think of it as staging a house for sale, when really, you're selling her on the comfort of your being the leaseholder. You're already doing it, but as you said - it's a tight market, and you want her to want you, whether or not you have the right to have your bike in the house based on the lease.
posted by peagood at 11:12 AM on September 20, 2011
But, as in negotiating any item with a high price, it's always best to let the other party name their price first. She may be happy with less than you're willing to do, especially if the changes she sees upon her inspection are dramatic - so while I think offering an additional deposit or basement location as an option is a good idea, keep that in your back pocket while you work out the other details.
Because is insisting that "things must change.", when she comes, show her things have changed and are changing. You're already more active on maintenance and garden care than the departing leaseholder, and so ask her "What more can I do?" Turn her venting about the previous leaseholder (you have to get her off that train of thought) into giving some direction about how she can be satisfied, and her negative energy and attention toward the previous leaseholder will become positively attuned to you. You want her to stop being irritated by the mere idea of the bikes being in the house and you want her to start being comfortable that you're very aware of how responsible you have to be in order for this to happen. However, limit it as best you can - you don't want her directing the rest of your days there - only get a list of what her last few reservations are so that you can assume the lease comfortably and stand in good stead. Be able to prove you've met it.
Fix the damaged items, especially anything she's mentioned and especially where the bikes were and try out one of the racks with only the clean bikes that will be there, with a wall-protector, so she can see the improvement immediately. As you said, "Cleaning, spackling and painting a wall is not that hard, and I'm happy to do that when my new lease is up." - but doing it now takes away what seems to be her biggest concern. Why wait? Being annoyed that she's trying to restrict where you keep my most valuable possession and only means of transport in the city is not the attitude to have - this idea of keeping bikes in a living room may be something like a cultural divide. Some people would just never do that (me!), and the idea is repellent because living rooms are for traditional North American uses, like entertaining and relaxing and living - not storing vehicles. If your bike is your most valuable possession and your only means of transport, well, your apartment is a valuable possession of hers, and it's income to her. Reminding her that you know that, and that it's important to both of you to take care of these things helps you find a common ground.
And do a cleaning blitz. Take pictures, and look at the pictures to get an idea of what it looks like to a stranger (I swear, it helps). Declutter like mad, wash the windows and have a vase of fresh flowers and bake some cookies so the house smells great when she comes over. In essence, treat her like a guest in your home, when really, you're a guest in her home. Think of it as staging a house for sale, when really, you're selling her on the comfort of your being the leaseholder. You're already doing it, but as you said - it's a tight market, and you want her to want you, whether or not you have the right to have your bike in the house based on the lease.
posted by peagood at 11:12 AM on September 20, 2011
Response by poster: Hi Everyone - Thanks so much for your responses! You've really helped me calm down from being annoyed and start thinking strategically - as KathrynT said, there's really no reason why we can't both get what we want.
I think you're all right that a combination of sincere & active listening to what her concerns are, combined with the physical demonstration that I'm much neater and maintenance-minded than the outgoing leaseholder will be the most fruitful approach. I've bought this non-wall-mounting bike stand, and plan to have it installed and tidy before Friday. It should also help that we'll be down to 2 bikes by Friday (the number that will be in the house after the leaseholder moves out) and they will both fit on the rack.
The landlady's husband did come by about 4 weeks ago and screwed a big plywood sheet into the wall behind the bikes, so it's protected from further damage/marking, but I can't really get behind it to scrub off the existing marks. Since I'm not going to go dump our bikes outside in the rain immediately like she demanded, I think showing her how much better things can be is the best strategy. If she still demands they be removed when she visits on Friday, I can re-consider option B and negotiating basement storage.
posted by foodmapper at 12:09 PM on September 20, 2011
I think you're all right that a combination of sincere & active listening to what her concerns are, combined with the physical demonstration that I'm much neater and maintenance-minded than the outgoing leaseholder will be the most fruitful approach. I've bought this non-wall-mounting bike stand, and plan to have it installed and tidy before Friday. It should also help that we'll be down to 2 bikes by Friday (the number that will be in the house after the leaseholder moves out) and they will both fit on the rack.
The landlady's husband did come by about 4 weeks ago and screwed a big plywood sheet into the wall behind the bikes, so it's protected from further damage/marking, but I can't really get behind it to scrub off the existing marks. Since I'm not going to go dump our bikes outside in the rain immediately like she demanded, I think showing her how much better things can be is the best strategy. If she still demands they be removed when she visits on Friday, I can re-consider option B and negotiating basement storage.
posted by foodmapper at 12:09 PM on September 20, 2011
Have you considered offering to a) promise (in writing) to fix any bike-related wall damage, including drywall and paint, to a professional standard before you move out, and b) include an additional $100 in the security deposit, to be refunded when 'a' is done? Offering extra security deposit money *might* help, putting things in writing probably will help.
She may also be worried about showing the apartment when you do decide to move on, so you might volunteer to paint the area and try to vacate all the bikes when she's bringing prospective new tenants over, if she gives you 24 hours notice.
posted by amtho at 2:17 PM on September 20, 2011
She may also be worried about showing the apartment when you do decide to move on, so you might volunteer to paint the area and try to vacate all the bikes when she's bringing prospective new tenants over, if she gives you 24 hours notice.
posted by amtho at 2:17 PM on September 20, 2011
The fact that the landlady was okay with her husband screwing a sheet of plywood into a living room wall suggests that "aesthetic concerns" are actually codewords for something else.
posted by werkzeuger at 3:40 PM on September 20, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by werkzeuger at 3:40 PM on September 20, 2011 [2 favorites]
The landlady's husband did come by about 4 weeks ago and screwed a big plywood sheet into the wall behind the bikes, so it's protected from further damage/marking,
You've already won this argument, you just have to find a way to make her feel happy about it.
posted by Chuckles at 4:47 PM on September 20, 2011 [1 favorite]
You've already won this argument, you just have to find a way to make her feel happy about it.
posted by Chuckles at 4:47 PM on September 20, 2011 [1 favorite]
The landlady's husband did come by about 4 weeks ago and screwed a big plywood sheet into the wall behind the bikes, so it's protected from further damage/marking
And yet she's concerned about aesthetics. Wow. Just bare plywood?
Well, I would probably be very tempted to do a quickie art-project on that plywood to make it look less tacky and also to make scuff marks not very obvious. Turn it into a little abstract mural with high-gloss paint or a collage/mosaic of scraps of vinyl fabric or other material that will take a scrubby-sponge.
Anyway, yeah, I'd have a pot of tea and a loaf of banana bread ready at the walk-through. Show off how clean and well-maintained the place is now.
posted by desuetude at 11:08 PM on September 20, 2011
And yet she's concerned about aesthetics. Wow. Just bare plywood?
Well, I would probably be very tempted to do a quickie art-project on that plywood to make it look less tacky and also to make scuff marks not very obvious. Turn it into a little abstract mural with high-gloss paint or a collage/mosaic of scraps of vinyl fabric or other material that will take a scrubby-sponge.
Anyway, yeah, I'd have a pot of tea and a loaf of banana bread ready at the walk-through. Show off how clean and well-maintained the place is now.
posted by desuetude at 11:08 PM on September 20, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks for your help, everyone - the bikes can stay! Having her see the place in person made a big difference, letting my landlady see that I'm a more responsible tenant that the previous guy. The rack also helped, as the bikes were nice and organized.
posted by foodmapper at 10:47 AM on September 26, 2011
posted by foodmapper at 10:47 AM on September 26, 2011
Congrats, glad to hear its worked out well!
posted by easily confused at 4:10 PM on September 26, 2011
posted by easily confused at 4:10 PM on September 26, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by DarlingBri at 8:18 AM on September 20, 2011