Racist landlord

Jaynee

Jaynee

New Member
Jurisdiction
New York
My landlord referred to some of my family members as "you people" stating that the neighbors are mad that she rented to us (my family is black) My partner and I live there as well and she told us we were disgusting (for being gay) Our rent is on time but at the time she said these things we had told her our circumstances had changed and we needed to change the pay date to the 15th rather then the 1st. She was ballistic and went crazy Making a big scene in the street banging on the door. I am no longer comfortable being here Can my lease be broken based on her remarks ?
 
I assume you have a lease for a term that won't expire until x number of months from now (as opposed to a month-to-month lease that you could terminate simply by giving notice).

If that's correct, regardless of your "circumstances," you have no basis for changing the date on which you pay the rent. If you don't pay the rent according to the terms of the lease, you will be subject to eviction. Nor do a couple of isolated, offensive comments allow for the early termination of a lease.

Have you considered that your landlord might be happy to get rid of you and proposed a mutual agreement to terminate the lease early?
 
Your lease can be broken if the landlord agrees. Just ask them, otherwise no, you stick to the terms of the lease.
 
I think you'd have a hard time selling those comments as racist.
Perhaps offensive, but it is a significant leap to reach racist.
Regardless, you don't provide any information that suggests you are being discriminated against or otherwise treated unfairly.
I agree that the landlord does not have to allow the change of the due date. That is wishful thinking on your part. You agreed in the lease to pay on the first and will set yourself up for bigger problems if you don't pay on time.
Try to come to terms with the landlord to end your lease early, but understand the landlord is really in control here... so be polite.
 
You ever hear of sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me. Easy way to change the pay date.... On the 1st of the month give the landlord 1 month and 15 days rent. Now your covered to the 15th of the month.
 
Disabled Vet said:
On the 1st of the month give the landlord 1 month and 15 days rent. Now your covered to the 15th of the month.
Click to expand...

Bad idea. Rent is due on the due date for the full month. On the due date of the following month the rent will be in default if the full month isn't paid and the tenant can still be subject to late charges or eviction for non-payment.

However, the strategy could work if the LL accepts the additional amount and agrees to the change.

The LL is in charge and the tenant doesn't get to do an end run around his contract without the landlord's approval, preferably in writing.
 

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