Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Brodyftw00 t1_j9zrfl6 wrote

Reply to comment by PeachesFromTulsa in Help us take down slumlords! by MrArkAngel11

I don't understand a cap on deductions for repairs. If the tenants actually damaged the premises, they should be held accountable. I'm with you 100%

14

PeachesFromTulsa t1_j9zvdtv wrote

Owners have to depreciate the replacement cost anyway. If a carpet is 3 years old and is damaged to the point of replacing, you cannot charge for the full replacement. I think a lot of people are naive to what the laws actually are.

10

godmode33 t1_ja2k84g wrote

Agreed, furthermore I don't understand the sealed eviction records either. If you have been evicted 3 times in the last five years, that's crucial information to have before I enter into any agreement with you. Some of these sound good. But some of them sound like a total scam waiting to happen. Just imagine how the capping of deductions could be used to hurt someone if things go sour. Seems foolish to build this into the process.

3

klasbatalo t1_ja01mdo wrote

The point is to allow tenants to get essential repairs done without being sent to eviction court for it.

1

Brodyftw00 t1_ja01yof wrote

Retaliatory evictions are already strictly prohibited. A landlord cannot evict a tenant for demanding essential repairs are made.

4

klasbatalo t1_ja021s6 wrote

They happen all the time. The law and courts in RI are a joke.

2

PeachesFromTulsa t1_ja06lo5 wrote

Tenants can withhold rent until essential services are repaired. There is already a lever they can pull.

−1

klasbatalo t1_ja08r1i wrote

Actually when they do that slumlords bring them to fourth for non-payment evictions. It’s illegal to withhold unless you pay into the court registry apparently.

5

PeachesFromTulsa t1_ja09jrk wrote

It does not to be sent to a court registry, it just needs to be set aside in some other account.

1

klasbatalo t1_ja09vd6 wrote

Go ahead try it. Our lawyers tell us this just ends in non payment evictions every time.

4

klasbatalo t1_ja0a8hu wrote

In particular this is what happens with slumlords like Pioneer Investments LLC who disregard the laws.

3

klasbatalo t1_ja0acte wrote

Also this is why lawmakers are discussing raising deductions from $125 to $500 or even the full rent.

1

klasbatalo t1_ja2szum wrote

I’ve heard it from the best lawyers in the state who handle evictions cases every day, every week and they have told me if you haven’t given proper notice (20 days) and / or deduct more that the legal $125 then you are likely seeing an eviction filed against you for non-payment of rent. It doesn’t matter that it’s probably an illegal retaliatory eviction they still happen and sometimes judges grant them if tenants don’t have enough documentation etc

1