What would you do if your landlord did this...?

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · June 2010

So, say you have some really nice, 6 foot tall windows in your apartment. And one needs to be replaced. And you landlord replaces it with a standard sized window because he can get a great deal on it, rather than waiting and custom-ordering the right size window, and just says he'll patch it with drywall (because what kind of Russian landlord would he be if he didn't have guys who could get him a great deal on things like standard windows and granite counter tops?).

Would you come home, look at it, and start sobbing? Cause that's what I did. (It looks even worse without the curtains up.)

The window looks like it's actually uneven, too.

And now FI is really upset that I'm pissed because he told our landlord, "Yeah, that sounds like a great idea." *headdesk*

Sorry, this might be a post and run, dinner is almost ready.

shellydiane820 · June 2010

I would probably mention it doesn't really work. Then again, I'm not entirely sure what renters protocol is. I've never rented

But if Nick did that, I'd say it looks like shiit.

thesuninherhead · June 2010

It's not highly pretty, but I doubt he's breaching your rental contract either, so I'm afraid chances are you'll just have to get used to it looking slightly odd.

sarah0725 · June 2010

Aww poor mery.

If it were me, I'd probably stew and complain and grumble, but then not do anything about it. I've lived in some crummy places, including one where the floor wasn't level. That was fun.

Morfudd · June 2010

I can't actually remember what it's like to live in a place where the floor is level.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · June 2010

The thing is, our apartment is SO awesome. It's a Spanish style duplex from 1927. Two bedrooms, one bath, three closets, including a HUGE one, big windows, wood floors. We've been here two years and I love it. And (before I knew FI was in on this thing) I yelled that I'm embarrassed to have people over now. (This is the window in the living room, next to the TV.)

I told FI to tell the landlord that it needs to be fixed, but... well, FI gave him the go-ahead in the first place and he keeps telling me, "it's his house, he can do whatever he wants." But I can't believe someone who owns a piece of property would want to do something like this to it.

Fi is now stewing in the bedroom and mumbled to me, "I can't do anything right." *sigh*

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · June 2010

Oh, Sarah, the circa 1836 farmhouse I grew up in didn't have a level floor. ;-) It had hardwood floors, too, so I could actually put roller skates on in my room and roll due to gravity. The windows didn't exactly line up with the floor or ceiling, either.

sarah0725 · June 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_would-landlord-did-this?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:b1e048fc-1bf1-46b8-9277-a6a137a2dcbfPost:f21723a0-0475-4672-9b32-eee90fe88f83">Re: What would you do if your landlord did this...?</a>:
[QUOTE]Oh, Sarah, the circa 1836 farmhouse I grew up in didn't have a level floor. ;-) It had hardwood floors, too, so I could actually put roller skates on in my room and roll due to gravity. The windows didn't exactly line up with the floor or ceiling, either.
Posted by msmerymac[/QUOTE]

See, being built in 1836 is a good excuse though. The house I lived in was a stupid slum house from the early twentieth century, poorly maintained by a landlord who was the mayor's cousin. My college town was pretty corrupt politics-wise.

katiewhompus · June 2010

Honestly, if you are renting you don't have much say in what he does to the place. I would just throw a top curtain...valance? What are those damn things called, to cover the top foot or so and it would just look like a normal window.

Our landlord required us to have all beige curtains. We had to take down Dh's blackout curtains (thick black leather curtains we use because he works at ungodly hours of the morning) whenever we though he was coming over.

tidetravel · June 2010

I mean, I guess if it upsets you THAT much, you could always pay to have a new window installed yourself.

Shasha3100 · June 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_would-landlord-did-this?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:b1e048fc-1bf1-46b8-9277-a6a137a2dcbfPost:3b6c6e29-86fd-421d-8ec7-9d43b71cc816">What would you do if your landlord did this...?</a>:
[QUOTE](because what kind of Russian landlord would he be if he didn't have guys who could get him a great deal on things like standard windows and granite counter tops?).c[/QUOTE]

I hope the quoting thing works, since I cut some out, but what? Maybe I am reading thins woing(I did have a few drinks), but really? To me you sound like an ass.

Catwoman708 · June 2010

I think you are a little too proprietory over rental property. Yes its ugly and has ruined the look and authenticity of the 1927 Spanish style houlse. But is not YOUR 1927 Spanish style house, and the landlord can do what he wants, as long as it's legal.

It's already done, so it's not likely to change. Either give notice you are moving, or get creative and fool the eye. I might try hanging blinds or shades up over the top of where the window used to be, and mount the curtains or a valance over the top of the blinds. It will camouflage it some. From the inside at least. not so sure about the outside.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · June 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_would-landlord-did-this?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:b1e048fc-1bf1-46b8-9277-a6a137a2dcbfPost:772fd449-b76c-4f39-93c9-b1860cc9a03d">Re: What would you do if your landlord did this...?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to What would you do if your landlord did this...? : I hope the quoting thing works, since I cut some out, but what? Maybe I am reading thins woing(I did have a few drinks), but really? To me you sound like an ass.
Posted by Shasha3100[/QUOTE]

<div>Explain please?</div>

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · June 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_would-landlord-did-this?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:b1e048fc-1bf1-46b8-9277-a6a137a2dcbfPost:4ef8bded-c194-4109-ad1e-84ca46c19d5b">Re: What would you do if your landlord did this...?</a>:
[QUOTE]I might try hanging blinds or shades up over the top of where the window used to be, and mount the curtains or a valance over the top of the blinds. It will camouflage it some. From the inside at least. not so sure about the outside.
Posted by Catwoman708[/QUOTE]

<div>I'm not so sure I mind the outside (because of the way the house faces we don't see it much), but I wish it was ANY window but the window we stare at the most. Ugh. Basically, the window wouldn't stay open, which is why we had it fixed... but since we'll just keep the curtains shut a lot now, I wish we hadn't had it fixed in the first place.</div><div> </div><div>And I WAS going to go to bed, but now we have to take the cat to the vet, so yeah, this day has been awesome. </div>

Night_Sprite · June 2010

What did he do to the outside? If there is a hole in the siding I'd say you want the window fully replaced due to the potential mold.

pooh8402 · June 2010

I'd chalk it up to, "well, it's his/her property, so I can't say shite." if you agreed to it, then it's probably covered in the rental contract. I've had landlords that did crappy cheap repairs, but as long as it did the job and didn't violate the rental contract, I couldn't say anything. nothing in my contracts ever said anything about it conforming to my idea of "pretty."

thesuninherhead · June 2010

Hope your cat is ok!

tdso008 · June 2010

If it's that bad (and it sounds like it is to me) I'd spend some time researching building codes. Your landlord is required to provide a safe environment for you - the mold comment is a good one!

(and I'd kick the FI in the shins!)

Hope the kitty's ok!

Simply Fated · June 2010

Does the window function? I mean, if it doesn't function like it is supposed to, then the landlord has to fix it.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · June 2010

Thanks guys. The cat was throwing up, we think he'll be okay.

I haven't even looked at the outside right now. He still has to come back and fix the molding and the drywall and some... stuff. I guess the window works. The outside we don't really see because it's on the side of the house with a very close property line and there's a large hedge literally a few feet from the window. We never walk by it.

I'm just sad because this is such a nice apartment otherwise. :-/

stina93446 · June 2010

It sounds pretty normal to me what he did, because I live in NYC where all the landlords are like that. I'd probably hate it, then I'd move on and not do anything about it.

ohwhynot · June 2010

Hijacking to say Stina, you look absolutely amazing! Drop-dead gorgeous in that suit!

Mery, you have my sympathies but like others said, it's not your property so there's not a lot you really can do.

JenGin74 · June 2010

Aww Mery, I'm sorry. It really does look awful. I think the best thing you can do right now to try to disguise it is hang a nice roman shade under the curtain.

I can totally sympathise because I'm picky about that kind of stuff too

brookelynpaisley · June 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_would-landlord-did-this?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:b1e048fc-1bf1-46b8-9277-a6a137a2dcbfPost:398b66da-f90b-421e-ad8b-dc4840291f21">Re: What would you do if your landlord did this...?</a>:
[QUOTE]I would probably mention it doesn't really work. Then again, I'm not entirely sure what renters protocol is. I've never rented :( But if Nick did that, I'd say it looks like shiit.
Posted by shellydiane820[/QUOTE]

This. Except that I have rented and have learned that landlords will do things as cheaply as possible. They own the property, not you, so if that's what they want to do, you can't really stop them unless it poses a help or safety hazzard.

tldh · June 2010

Unless it is violating building codes or rental codes in your area, you don't get a say. It's the owner's building, not yours. Frankly, FI doesn't really have a say either.

katiewhompus · June 2010

Oh! Also keep the pic on your computer in case he tries to charge you to replace it.
When we moved out of our last place the landlord wanted to take $500 out of our security deposit to retile the bathroom and replace the tub, both of which were eff'ed up when we moved in. His wife told him not to though.

noodle_oo · June 2010

As much as that does suck, unfortunately it is not your house, so it is not your decision to make. And since FI agreed to it already, I would let it go. I'd also try to find a way to make your FI feel better since it sounds like he is feeling pretty bad about it.

Kristin789 · June 2010

Move.

Get a place that will be YOURS and you can do what you want with it.

Because if you stay, this window thing will bug you every single day...

katiewhompus · June 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_would-landlord-did-this?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:b1e048fc-1bf1-46b8-9277-a6a137a2dcbfPost:61b93ed0-0fc4-475d-a44e-51406ad50d2c">Re: What would you do if your landlord did this...?</a>:
[QUOTE]Move. Get a place that will be YOURS and you can do what you want with it. Because if you stay, this window thing will bug you every single day...
Posted by Kristin789[/QUOTE]

I think this is a bit of a stretch. Any place you live will have one thing that bugs you, you just learn to deal. I don't think a window that can be easily fixed with different curtains is a valid reason to suffer the expenses of moving/buying.

PreppySailor · June 2010

I am way late to the convo, but I would put up a roman blind that covers the ugly part of the window: like picture, You can still have your drapery panels on the side for style.

lizbiz1485 · June 2010

Last year I was in bed just waking up when I heard a loud crack and rock came whizzing by my head. The grounds crew at my apartment complex was mowing the lawn, ran over a rock and kicked it up through my second story bedroom window. The hole was about 4 inches in diameter and 3 months later it was still there. Every time I called, they said they would come out and fix it that day or the next. MIraculously, the window was finally fixed about 18 hours after I made a comment to some potential renters who were on a tour with the landlord that I loved the place, with the exception of the giant hole in my bedroom.

Moral of the story, apartments can be wonderful, but they have their drawbacks. One of those drawbacks being that you are at the mercy of your landlord.

What would you do if your landlord did this...?

Re: What would you do if your landlord did this...?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards