Note: I say "harassment/exploitation" in the title not to be hyperbolic, but simply because I wasn't sure how to sum up the situation.
I rent a room in a large house with six other roommates. No lease.
I've had problems with the caretaker, and to a lesser extent, the owners.
Here's my complaint against them, in no particular order of severity:
The caretaker:
- Hit me up to pitch in on work on the property that he doesn't want to do. E.g. I've done yard work and other things for the owners, which under Minnesota state law, I'm entitled to be compensated for.
- Hit me up to share in the cost for house supplies he's bought (everyone buys their own.)
- If I refuse the things he asks of me, he becomes hostile or even threatening, including threat of eviction.
- And it's generally a hostile environment to live in. There's a number of examples I could provide: like the day he locked me out of the house in the dead of winter. (Eventually, a roommate let me in.)
- Failed to pay for damages to my personal property.
- Failed to return things I've lent, or used them and then threw them away.
- Compared to the other tenants, I'm by-and-large singled out. So the patterns of treatment tend to be prejudicial.
The owners:
- Failed to repair/replace basic appliances (fridge.)
- Failed to supply CRP's.
- Ignore valid complaints about the caretaker, property, etc.
I realize some of these things aren't terrible compared to what other people have been put through, but the fact remains: who should have to pay rent for this BS? What I want is what I would hope anyone living together would be entitled to: domestic peace, the free and unhindered access to my rented room and basic facilities, and without attempts to exploit or harass. As I'm not getting that, I want them to pay my moving expenses since I'm forced to leave.
Do I have a case, what kind of damages could I seek, and in what court?
Thanks very much.
I rent a room in a large house with six other roommates. No lease.
I've had problems with the caretaker, and to a lesser extent, the owners.
Here's my complaint against them, in no particular order of severity:
The caretaker:
- Hit me up to pitch in on work on the property that he doesn't want to do. E.g. I've done yard work and other things for the owners, which under Minnesota state law, I'm entitled to be compensated for.
- Hit me up to share in the cost for house supplies he's bought (everyone buys their own.)
- If I refuse the things he asks of me, he becomes hostile or even threatening, including threat of eviction.
- And it's generally a hostile environment to live in. There's a number of examples I could provide: like the day he locked me out of the house in the dead of winter. (Eventually, a roommate let me in.)
- Failed to pay for damages to my personal property.
- Failed to return things I've lent, or used them and then threw them away.
- Compared to the other tenants, I'm by-and-large singled out. So the patterns of treatment tend to be prejudicial.
The owners:
- Failed to repair/replace basic appliances (fridge.)
- Failed to supply CRP's.
- Ignore valid complaints about the caretaker, property, etc.
I realize some of these things aren't terrible compared to what other people have been put through, but the fact remains: who should have to pay rent for this BS? What I want is what I would hope anyone living together would be entitled to: domestic peace, the free and unhindered access to my rented room and basic facilities, and without attempts to exploit or harass. As I'm not getting that, I want them to pay my moving expenses since I'm forced to leave.
Do I have a case, what kind of damages could I seek, and in what court?
Thanks very much.
