House Hunters: Get Me Out of Here Edition
September 4, 2013 11:59 AM Subscribe
I moved into a new house about a week ago. Everything seemed great. Good, quiet location, central location, etc. etc. But, I've come to realize that the folks living across the street are bad news. They're extremely loud, vulgar, and generally up to no good.
During the daytime, things are alright, but at night, everything goes to hell in a hand-basket. The folks right across the street are in their yard, along with guests, being loud and vulgar just about every night. Amazingly, it's just this one house - the one directly across the street from me.
They make comments directed at me as I've been walking around outside. I've also noticed that the police seem to have taken an interest in their house. I'm not particularly concerned myself, but I'd certainly feel uncomfortable having guests over.
I haven't signed a lease or put down a deposit yet, but I've indicated that I'd be willing to do so. My landlady said that she'd be willing to do a month-to-month type thing, but I'd prefer to be out of here ASAP. In the meantime, I've been looking for other places, but it's been surprisingly tough. What is fair to my landlady and to my roommate? He's more of a guy's guy type, so the whole thing doesn't seem to bother him.
During the daytime, things are alright, but at night, everything goes to hell in a hand-basket. The folks right across the street are in their yard, along with guests, being loud and vulgar just about every night. Amazingly, it's just this one house - the one directly across the street from me.
They make comments directed at me as I've been walking around outside. I've also noticed that the police seem to have taken an interest in their house. I'm not particularly concerned myself, but I'd certainly feel uncomfortable having guests over.
I haven't signed a lease or put down a deposit yet, but I've indicated that I'd be willing to do so. My landlady said that she'd be willing to do a month-to-month type thing, but I'd prefer to be out of here ASAP. In the meantime, I've been looking for other places, but it's been surprisingly tough. What is fair to my landlady and to my roommate? He's more of a guy's guy type, so the whole thing doesn't seem to bother him.
So you're renting on a month-to-month basis and your question is if you should stay (and sign a longer agreement?), is that correct? The only info you've given us is that your neighbors suck; are there reasons that you would NOT want to leave?
Because based on what you're saying here, my vote is 100% that you get out. Sure, you could call the cops and try to bring order to all this, but if you don't have to, why go through that?
posted by DingoMutt at 12:05 PM on September 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
Because based on what you're saying here, my vote is 100% that you get out. Sure, you could call the cops and try to bring order to all this, but if you don't have to, why go through that?
posted by DingoMutt at 12:05 PM on September 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
No lease or penalty? Time to boogie.
posted by jquinby at 12:05 PM on September 4, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by jquinby at 12:05 PM on September 4, 2013 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks for the help so far guys. I was just wondering what the nicest possible way to make an exit was. Should I offer to pay a pro-rated rent or something of that sort?
posted by matkline at 12:08 PM on September 4, 2013
posted by matkline at 12:08 PM on September 4, 2013
Yeah, you're in a business not social relationship with the landlord so just leave. But next time sign a lease before you move into a place!
posted by latkes at 12:08 PM on September 4, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by latkes at 12:08 PM on September 4, 2013 [4 favorites]
Nicest?
I believe leaving quickly would accomplish this. The minute the landlord knows you're leaving, he wants to get the next occupant in as quickly as possible. It's all about the next tenant for him.
posted by Kruger5 at 12:09 PM on September 4, 2013 [2 favorites]
I believe leaving quickly would accomplish this. The minute the landlord knows you're leaving, he wants to get the next occupant in as quickly as possible. It's all about the next tenant for him.
posted by Kruger5 at 12:09 PM on September 4, 2013 [2 favorites]
You could plan on being out in a week, but paying on the full month's rent if you're feeling generous.
posted by jquinby at 12:10 PM on September 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by jquinby at 12:10 PM on September 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
Thanks for the help so far guys. I was just wondering what the nicest possible way to make an exit was.
"Hi, yeah, had I known about the neighbors I never would have moved in in the first place. You might want to deal with them or other renters will move out after a week, just like I'm going to."
posted by bondcliff at 12:24 PM on September 4, 2013 [25 favorites]
"Hi, yeah, had I known about the neighbors I never would have moved in in the first place. You might want to deal with them or other renters will move out after a week, just like I'm going to."
posted by bondcliff at 12:24 PM on September 4, 2013 [25 favorites]
If you want to be nice and can afford it, pay through the end of September and let your roommate and landlord know ASAP.
posted by RogueTech at 12:30 PM on September 4, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by RogueTech at 12:30 PM on September 4, 2013 [3 favorites]
It doesn't sound like you are in danger, so I wouldn't treat this as an emergency. Go find a new place, live in this place until your new happier place is ready. Don't sign anything long term at the current place.
I don't see why you would waste money fleeing a place where it's just a bad fit.
The guys are loud and obnoxious but I doubt they are going to do anything bad to you.
posted by bottlebrushtree at 12:33 PM on September 4, 2013 [4 favorites]
I don't see why you would waste money fleeing a place where it's just a bad fit.
The guys are loud and obnoxious but I doubt they are going to do anything bad to you.
posted by bottlebrushtree at 12:33 PM on September 4, 2013 [4 favorites]
RogueTech has it. Call your landlord and talk to your roomate and explain that, because of the neighbors your last day will be Sept. 30. You can either live there until then or move out and just pay rent, depending on how unbearable/unsafe you find it and your ability to find/afford another place.
posted by Rock Steady at 12:45 PM on September 4, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Rock Steady at 12:45 PM on September 4, 2013 [2 favorites]
next time sign a lease before you move into a place!
Are you kidding me? Ideal situation here -- you've found the place is unacceptable before getting locked into a lease! But agree with others -- since you're (only verbal) month-to-month, pay for this month only, and resume your housing search.
Note: your situation's exactly why I always do a late-night, independent reconnoiter, before committing to a new place.
posted by Rash at 1:05 PM on September 4, 2013 [15 favorites]
Are you kidding me? Ideal situation here -- you've found the place is unacceptable before getting locked into a lease! But agree with others -- since you're (only verbal) month-to-month, pay for this month only, and resume your housing search.
Note: your situation's exactly why I always do a late-night, independent reconnoiter, before committing to a new place.
posted by Rash at 1:05 PM on September 4, 2013 [15 favorites]
Nicest possible way? Tell the landlady to help the police and neighborhood deal with these neighbors, then she can get some decent tenants who won't want to move out right away.
posted by rhizome at 2:13 PM on September 4, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 2:13 PM on September 4, 2013 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: Followup: Against most advice, moved on in anyway. Things got quieter, but there was definitely some low level shadiness going on. A few weeks back, a SWAT team went in. Nothing since.
posted by matkline at 2:47 AM on February 12, 2014
posted by matkline at 2:47 AM on February 12, 2014
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posted by xingcat at 12:03 PM on September 4, 2013 [9 favorites]