Unpaying Tenant Doesn’t Want To Leave Her Trailer So The Landlord Decides To “Move In” To Make Her Leave
The internet is full of stories about evil and treacherous landlords, and there is a serious belief that they are one of the roots of all world evil. Moreover, we fully admit that even J.R.R. Tolkien wanted to call his legendary novel “Landlord of the Rings”, but later changed his mind, not wanting to spoil relations with his own landlord.
But what if things aren’t really that simple? Let’s conduct a thought experiment and imagine that landlords are also people, with their own inner world, thoughts and experiences, that they appeared in this world not as an evil force designed to oppress the unfortunate tenants, but when they do something bad, they are also tormented with remorse. To do this, let’s just try to look at the world through the eyes of one of these landlords.
For example, the author of this post on the AITA Reddit community, user u/otisthegreat69420, whose story, published about a year ago, has approximately 6.4K upvotes and over 2.1K comments as of today. Moreover, it’s more proof of the validity of our experiment as most readers of the original post are convinced that the landlord at least partially wasn’t wrong. Don’t believe it? Let’s figure it out together!
More info: Reddit
The author of the post is a landlord with several units they rent to different people
Image credits: Old Photo Profile (not the actual image)
So, according to the author of the post, they have several apartments that they rent to different people. Among these premises is an old trailer from 1955, which the Original Poster put up on their land, and for several years now has been renting out to a single mother with a 14-year-old daughter.
Image credits: u/otisthegreat69420
The landlord had been renting out an old trailer for $600 to a woman and her teen daughter for several years
According to the OP, the rental terms they offer are quite affordable – $600 per month, with the OP personally checking that she has working electric, water, hot water, heat and so on. However, according to the landlord’s own words, in neighboring mobile home parking lots, the rent exceeds $500, and you have to pay for the trailer and have neighbors, but here, the trailer is on its own one-acre lot.
Image credits: u/otisthegreat69420
This went on for several years, until finally the roof of the trailer fell into complete disrepair. We must say that earlier the OP repaired the roof several times, but now, after analyzing the current situation, they just realized that it would be easier and cheaper to demolish the trailer and put a modular house in its place.
Image credits: u/otisthegreat69420
After the roof fell into disrepair, the landlord finally decided to tear the trailer down
So the landlord warned the woman in advance that they planned to demolish this unit, and that she had to look for a new home. Imagine their surprise when, by the appointed time, no one was even going to move out, and the OP did not receive money for rent either. Moreover, in the month that passed since the notice, the tenant has not even mowed the lawn in front of the trailer, which she has never done before.
Image credits: Mark Moz (not the actual image)
As a result, the woman simply refused to pay and move out, putting the landlord in a difficult position. Then they accepted the “rules of the game” and “moved” into the trailer themselves, declaring that they would now live here next to the tenant and her daughter. The woman got angry and called the police.
Image credits: u/otisthegreat69420
The tenant, however, refused paying rent as well as moving out, even facing the police
To no avail, as having familiarized himself with the situation, the officer sided with the OP, but at the same time stated that he had no right to evict non-paying tenants, since this was a rather civil law matter. The woman was even more upset, called the landlord all sorts of curse words – but still refused to leave.
Image credits: u/otisthegreat69420
The OP was even ready to make concessions and let her live on if she would pay – but now the tenant also refused to pay them. As a result, the OP found themselves in a difficult situation where they technically cannot evict the tenants, but they also cannot afford to lose income from their own property.
Image credits: Tyler (not the actual image)
Some people in the comments called the landlord “heartless”, some just gave them wholesome advice
However, literally the very first comment turned out to be very sensible. Its author advised the landlord to call the building code people in their area so that they can deem the building unsafe and the tenant will have to move. The Original Poster was recommended to tell the woman they’re calling code enforcement because they may not even let her enter to get her stuff if it is that unsafe.
On the other hand, the author of the post is literally blasted for being heartless as they allegedly provide unlivable facilities for $600. Some commenters have stated that, reading almost all the posts written by landlords, they wonder how it is even possible to be so cold and insensitive people.
You’ve probably already made up your mind about this story too, so it’s time to sum up our thought experiment. It is likely that you have already changed your mind about landlords, or maybe you still consider them absolute evil. Whatever it was, we are waiting for your comments below.
It's so weird that the author is on the landlord's side and seems to expect the reader to be swayed by this as some kind of alternative to the evil landlord trope. Nope, sorry, Bored Panda, this is just another example of a massive a*s of a landlord. And so creepy forcibly moving in with a woman and teenage girl. Eeew.
Right? Not sure how they thought this would cast the landlord in a good light.
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no where does it say if the landlord is male or female, at least not in what is written here, why assume they are "perving over the girl"?
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From the headline I was initially willing to side with the landlord; I think most people would agree the awful landlord cliche doesn't apply to someone actually using and living on the property. But each sentence just digs this guy deeper and deeper, which is appropriate as that positions him closer to Hell.
This Landlord could be in for a world of hurt if the mother and daughter start thinking "outside the box" too.
someone I know bought a second house to rent, did not charge a lot. This was to help with her upcoming retirement. The tenant after 3 years stopped paying, she was stuck with the mortgage payment and had legal fees to evict the tenant. She spent what was needed to keep the place nice. Not every case is about a slumlandlord, for some it is financially draining to have to pay mortgage for a renter who isn't paying their rent. FYI they also stopped paying utilities.
I rented a newly renovated house to a lady with 3 kids. Gave her first shout too. All I've done ever since is pretty much spend the rent on fixing things. She won't move. The place is an absolute tip now (a friend of mine went in to fix something as he's a builder). It's worth less than I paid for now, and I've got a mortgage on it. Now all I need is her not paying...
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Checked the original reddit thread for this. Apparently they came to the NTA conclusion. Maybe I'm just a landlord-hater but I can't even fathom that. The OP Literally says it's an old trailer they put the least effort possible into. And tried to evict someone during the ban!
A 67-year old camper isn't worth repairing when the roof leaks. It's not worth $3,000 plus a new roof would cost. It's likely not worth $500 in total.
Load More Replies... I don't know where this happened. It seems likely in the US, and rental law varies widely here state to state, and even city to city. In many cities, though, this would likely not be a legal unit. He seems eager to call local code enforcement to have it declared uninhabitable. In some jurisdictions, he would have to refund all the rent she had paid. In others, the lady and her child will be unhoused. Either way, he was charging rent for people to stay in a place that seems like it was likely not safe even before the leaks.
Leaks doesn't make it unsafe necessarily and the tenant has not paid since the leak has not been fixed. Why the landlord would have to refund all the rent? And if the tenant thinks it's unsafe why do they not move out? Just asking. Without siding with the landlord I wouldn't move in to a place with my child if I thought it was unsafe.
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NTA, the guy made it very clear from the beginning, the terms of this temporary rental, and the final outcome when he could no longer repair it. She enjoyed cheap rent for two years. She needs to find somewhere else to live. What entitled people don’t understand, is it’s not their property, and it’s not the owner’s responsibility to support them for life.
Landlord was honest with her from the outset "you can live here until the roof needs replaced". She moved in, so she agreed to those terms. The trailer was liveable, until the roof gave out. If she wants to stay in the trailer, I'm sure LL will transfer ownership to her, and she can pay for a new roof and continue paying him the cut-rate rent for the lot & utilities.
I am sorry that you have never had a landlord that would go out of their way to help their tenants, it is truly your loss.
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From a european perspective: 600$ for a TRAILER????? is this guy insane? Not even a new trailer, an old broken trailer? And he's proud of himself? I'm speachless.
It's a trailer! Get it towed to the city dump and she can live in it there, rent free, while you get your land cleaned up for the modular home. She can scream all she wants, but you haven't evicted her. You just moved your home off the land.
I can't imagine that this is considered a legal, habitable dwelling. It depends on the local laws, but where I am a landlord would get in big trouble for not fixing a significant roof leak.
How did the cop that was called allow the landlord to stay? Ive turned landlords away from coming in to do maintenance when 48 hours notice wasnt given (as required by law) so how does he just move in? Also isnt that cutting off his nose to spite his face? That seems like a HUGE inconvenience even if he only packed a bag for a week hes now sharing uninhabitable space with someone he barely knows? Thats so weird. Id rather let her live there free than move in. I cant imagine leaving the comfort of my home to go live in an uninhabitable trailer with people i barely know that (rightfully) probably hate me?
I don't understand how you people side with the tenant. Everyone should be able to have what's theirs. People can negotiate, but how is it ok to live somewhere rent free? It's HIS property. He bought it. It's just not fair to have people on your property who stay there just because. Maybe it would be better if your country provided some homeless shelters or low cost little apartments instead of robbing people of their property? Ir is it too communist for your proud asses
Buy another 2nd hand trailer and hook it up, you’ve made enough out of her to be able to do it. Greed over need methinks
Sorry, I'm with the landlord on this. I think laws need to be made to where the landlord is protected along with the tenant. To all you that are blasting the landlord, he gave her notice to move she refused to move she refused to pay. There should be laws to where if a tenant refuses to pay the landlord should be able to file suit to have them locked out until they do pay. And to all the deadbeat tenants out there. If you want to live someplace for free go find a cardboard box. Otherwise pay your damn rent when you're supposed to, and if you can't find somewhere to live where you can afford it.
I’m saying that this is made up fantasyland bs, my parents now they are retired are landlords and you simply can not rent a property that is in a poor state of repair, a leaking roof is on the landlord to fix failure to do so means a fine and even being banned from letting properties, they say their intention was to put another home on the plot, so why not offer the ‘new’ home to those living in the trailer in substandard conditions for so long. This person definitely is the AH
This woman knew from the start that eventually she'd have to leave the trailer. The landlord TOLD HER when she moved in that if repairs proved too expensive, or if there was no way to make the trailer a safe place to live, she would have to move,. SHE is behaving badly and SHE had plenty of warning that this was going to happen.
Stop defending slum lords. Poverty is not a crime. Not keeping a "house" you are renting out in good repair is wrong.
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Common sense would suggest that grown adults don't move in with underage girls over the objections of the parent, regardless of the situation. But please, keep sticking up for the creep, it's a handy red flag.
Load More Replies... It's so weird that the author is on the landlord's side and seems to expect the reader to be swayed by this as some kind of alternative to the evil landlord trope. Nope, sorry, Bored Panda, this is just another example of a massive a*s of a landlord. And so creepy forcibly moving in with a woman and teenage girl. Eeew.
Right? Not sure how they thought this would cast the landlord in a good light.
Load More Replies... no where does it say if the landlord is male or female, at least not in what is written here, why assume they are "perving over the girl"?
Load More Replies... From the headline I was initially willing to side with the landlord; I think most people would agree the awful landlord cliche doesn't apply to someone actually using and living on the property. But each sentence just digs this guy deeper and deeper, which is appropriate as that positions him closer to Hell.
This Landlord could be in for a world of hurt if the mother and daughter start thinking "outside the box" too.
someone I know bought a second house to rent, did not charge a lot. This was to help with her upcoming retirement. The tenant after 3 years stopped paying, she was stuck with the mortgage payment and had legal fees to evict the tenant. She spent what was needed to keep the place nice. Not every case is about a slumlandlord, for some it is financially draining to have to pay mortgage for a renter who isn't paying their rent. FYI they also stopped paying utilities.
I rented a newly renovated house to a lady with 3 kids. Gave her first shout too. All I've done ever since is pretty much spend the rent on fixing things. She won't move. The place is an absolute tip now (a friend of mine went in to fix something as he's a builder). It's worth less than I paid for now, and I've got a mortgage on it. Now all I need is her not paying...
Load More Replies... Checked the original reddit thread for this. Apparently they came to the NTA conclusion. Maybe I'm just a landlord-hater but I can't even fathom that. The OP Literally says it's an old trailer they put the least effort possible into. And tried to evict someone during the ban!
A 67-year old camper isn't worth repairing when the roof leaks. It's not worth $3,000 plus a new roof would cost. It's likely not worth $500 in total.
Load More Replies... I don't know where this happened. It seems likely in the US, and rental law varies widely here state to state, and even city to city. In many cities, though, this would likely not be a legal unit. He seems eager to call local code enforcement to have it declared uninhabitable. In some jurisdictions, he would have to refund all the rent she had paid. In others, the lady and her child will be unhoused. Either way, he was charging rent for people to stay in a place that seems like it was likely not safe even before the leaks.
Leaks doesn't make it unsafe necessarily and the tenant has not paid since the leak has not been fixed. Why the landlord would have to refund all the rent? And if the tenant thinks it's unsafe why do they not move out? Just asking. Without siding with the landlord I wouldn't move in to a place with my child if I thought it was unsafe.
Load More Replies... NTA, the guy made it very clear from the beginning, the terms of this temporary rental, and the final outcome when he could no longer repair it. She enjoyed cheap rent for two years. She needs to find somewhere else to live. What entitled people don’t understand, is it’s not their property, and it’s not the owner’s responsibility to support them for life.
Landlord was honest with her from the outset "you can live here until the roof needs replaced". She moved in, so she agreed to those terms. The trailer was liveable, until the roof gave out. If she wants to stay in the trailer, I'm sure LL will transfer ownership to her, and she can pay for a new roof and continue paying him the cut-rate rent for the lot & utilities.
I am sorry that you have never had a landlord that would go out of their way to help their tenants, it is truly your loss.
Load More Replies... From a european perspective: 600$ for a TRAILER????? is this guy insane? Not even a new trailer, an old broken trailer? And he's proud of himself? I'm speachless.
It's a trailer! Get it towed to the city dump and she can live in it there, rent free, while you get your land cleaned up for the modular home. She can scream all she wants, but you haven't evicted her. You just moved your home off the land.
I can't imagine that this is considered a legal, habitable dwelling. It depends on the local laws, but where I am a landlord would get in big trouble for not fixing a significant roof leak.
How did the cop that was called allow the landlord to stay? Ive turned landlords away from coming in to do maintenance when 48 hours notice wasnt given (as required by law) so how does he just move in? Also isnt that cutting off his nose to spite his face? That seems like a HUGE inconvenience even if he only packed a bag for a week hes now sharing uninhabitable space with someone he barely knows? Thats so weird. Id rather let her live there free than move in. I cant imagine leaving the comfort of my home to go live in an uninhabitable trailer with people i barely know that (rightfully) probably hate me?
I don't understand how you people side with the tenant. Everyone should be able to have what's theirs. People can negotiate, but how is it ok to live somewhere rent free? It's HIS property. He bought it. It's just not fair to have people on your property who stay there just because. Maybe it would be better if your country provided some homeless shelters or low cost little apartments instead of robbing people of their property? Ir is it too communist for your proud asses
Buy another 2nd hand trailer and hook it up, you’ve made enough out of her to be able to do it. Greed over need methinks
Sorry, I'm with the landlord on this. I think laws need to be made to where the landlord is protected along with the tenant. To all you that are blasting the landlord, he gave her notice to move she refused to move she refused to pay. There should be laws to where if a tenant refuses to pay the landlord should be able to file suit to have them locked out until they do pay. And to all the deadbeat tenants out there. If you want to live someplace for free go find a cardboard box. Otherwise pay your damn rent when you're supposed to, and if you can't find somewhere to live where you can afford it.
I’m saying that this is made up fantasyland bs, my parents now they are retired are landlords and you simply can not rent a property that is in a poor state of repair, a leaking roof is on the landlord to fix failure to do so means a fine and even being banned from letting properties, they say their intention was to put another home on the plot, so why not offer the ‘new’ home to those living in the trailer in substandard conditions for so long. This person definitely is the AH
This woman knew from the start that eventually she'd have to leave the trailer. The landlord TOLD HER when she moved in that if repairs proved too expensive, or if there was no way to make the trailer a safe place to live, she would have to move,. SHE is behaving badly and SHE had plenty of warning that this was going to happen.
Stop defending slum lords. Poverty is not a crime. Not keeping a "house" you are renting out in good repair is wrong.
Load More Replies... Common sense would suggest that grown adults don't move in with underage girls over the objections of the parent, regardless of the situation. But please, keep sticking up for the creep, it's a handy red flag.
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