So I go to turn in my and my gf's rent check today, and the manager tells me the landlord doesn't want bikes in our apartment because they make black marks. She told me I should put them in our storage unit, which is relatively insecure (one of the reasons we don't use it). This wasn't in our lease, and I use one of my bikes every day to go to work and school, so putting them in the storage unit is very inconvenient. We have 4 bikes total, probably valued at around $5000, not to mention that my renter's insurance probably wouldn't cover them in the storage unit. We really like the place I'm in, and I don't want to piss them off at all, but this is kind of a whiskey tango foxtrot situation. Help?
Bikes in apartments?
- Thread starter blue
- Start date
have the landlord come look at your apartment, or come to an understanding with the manager? i doubt the landlord will be on the property much, you know? my bikes have left black marks, but they've been easily cleaned off. those Mr. Clean sponge things are awesome.
that wall was covered with black smudges (had the bikes handing from J-hooks), and all you could see afterwards were the spots where i patched up the holes (from the hooks)
that wall was covered with black smudges (had the bikes handing from J-hooks), and all you could see afterwards were the spots where i patched up the holes (from the hooks)
more like a foxtrot uniform charlie kilo'ed situation.
if it's not in the lease, politely tell them no, there's way too much value in your bikes. If they want, they can get an additional insurance rider to cover your bikes with zero deductible to you.
In otherwords, if they didn't tell you no in the lease, in writing, before you signed, too bad.
My girl points out that you're responsible for a clean apt when you leave... I suppose you can tell them that, so they shouldn't even have an issue.
Lastly, if the storage unit is insecure, perhaps self-esteem books on tape might help.
if it's not in the lease, politely tell them no, there's way too much value in your bikes. If they want, they can get an additional insurance rider to cover your bikes with zero deductible to you.
In otherwords, if they didn't tell you no in the lease, in writing, before you signed, too bad.
My girl points out that you're responsible for a clean apt when you leave... I suppose you can tell them that, so they shouldn't even have an issue.
Lastly, if the storage unit is insecure, perhaps self-esteem books on tape might help.
Doesn't want them in the apartment? 
Keep them in the apartment where they are safe. They will cause "black marks" on light colored walls. Try not to hit the tires when bringing the bikes in and out, and if you do, use some Simple Green or something similar, and clean the place where the mark is. If that doesn't work, paint does. Besides, they should be (and may legally have to) paint the place between renters, anyway. I wouldn't trust my bikes in most of the storage units I've seen.
$.02
Keep them in the apartment where they are safe. They will cause "black marks" on light colored walls. Try not to hit the tires when bringing the bikes in and out, and if you do, use some Simple Green or something similar, and clean the place where the mark is. If that doesn't work, paint does. Besides, they should be (and may legally have to) paint the place between renters, anyway. I wouldn't trust my bikes in most of the storage units I've seen.
$.02
Exactly...in the past two apts I've lived in, my bikes haven't left a mess at all because the mess they leave is very easy to clean up (yes, even the grease in carpets is cake to get out), in addition to us having them on cardboard. I really don't want to be an ass and say "It's not in the lease, so no", can't there be a better way?!LordOpie said:
And shut up.
My gas bill was $80 last month.
no dollar amount was specified, but we were not charged to heat the water. one day, we got a letter saying that the management company, in order to conserve energy, would now be charging us the cost of heating the water, based on square-footage of the apartment, not how much we actually use, and not through the city, but through the complex. it all seems a little shady to me.LordOpie said:
Inbred, you signed a legal document when you moved in - the lease. Consult the lease, that will spell out exactly what they can and cannot charge you for.
If it wasn't in the lease, too bad for you. Sucks, but they can charge you for utilities if they didn't spell out in the lease that they won't charge you for them.
If it wasn't in the lease, too bad for you. Sucks, but they can charge you for utilities if they didn't spell out in the lease that they won't charge you for them.
ADHD people...what do I say?!
that's true to the extent that they created an expectation that the utilities were included in the monthly nut. I forget the legalese.
That said, so few people on the planet who live in an apt. have the resources to fight and win. You'll get evicted long before a resolution in your favor.
That said, so few people on the planet who live in an apt. have the resources to fight and win. You'll get evicted long before a resolution in your favor.
i gather that just because it's not in the lease, doesn't mean it can't become a rule. so...talk to the manager and try to come up with a compromise. paint the wall at the end of the lease? try to make him understand that you don't ride $100 Wal-Mart bikes? show him you're not a trashy person? throw down more deposit?blue said:ADHD people...what do I say?!
Not a thing. Keep bringing your bikes inside the apartment.blue said:ADHD people...what do I say?!
Moving blankets are even better than cardoard if you can get a couple. For anyone who didn't know - Oxyclean and water will take grease out of any carpet, regarless of how long it's been in there or the color of the rug in my experience.blue said:
Yep. I've been using this cheap crap from the dollar store...doesn't even discolor the carpetberkshire_rider said:
Oh, and the bikes rest against a couch, so there really isn't much worry about tires trashing walls.
That's not to conserve energy. That is to conserve profit.I know a bit about real estate (Degree from NSCC). That is not legal. They can charge a fee for utilities but it has to be in your lease if during the lease term. Have to give you 60 days notice of charge begining if you are month to month. And has to be metered or one of several other legal methods of calculating. A sq ft basis is not on of those unless the laws have been changed in the past 2 years. Their are lots of things managers do not knowing they are against the law. Did you know you have the leal right to have a dish for sat TV and the building owners only have say in the method with which you attach it to the buiklding? You can rebuild a motor in your living room as long as you do not permantly destroy property and it does not violate a city, state or federal law.the Inbred said:
You can all find help for rental issues here. http://www.tenantsunion.org/
If you are serious about this place, use a decent bike rack (I bought my from Supergo/Performance), cardboard the area where the rack resides, and explain nicely about how your bikes are worth thousands of dollars and are an integral part of your life.
berkshire_rider said:
I agree. I wouldn't say a thing.
me niether.. clean up any black marks that the bikes have left, be more carful and clean them if new ones come.. if the landlord brings it up again explain to him the situation and show him that they are leaving the markd and that you will be ultra careful.. heck even offer to repaint the area in questionlaura said:
laura said:
ignore the dorkwads
I lived in a place that was rather strict about stuff last year, but they had no problems with keeping a bike in the apartment. I had more than one in there sometimes and leaned them up against a wall. I used some soft scrub and a slightly course sponge right before i moved out to get a lot of black marks off the walls. I wasn't charged for it either.
In terms of paying extra utilities, that's just absurd. I know you like the place (which is important) but you have to consider the extra hassle and worry this place has caused you. I finally found a nice place with a great, trustworthy landlord and it's much easier to live in that kind of place and have your mind at ease. If there are other choices out there, consider them. It's worth the hassle of a move to live in a place you actually want to come home to.
In terms of paying extra utilities, that's just absurd. I know you like the place (which is important) but you have to consider the extra hassle and worry this place has caused you. I finally found a nice place with a great, trustworthy landlord and it's much easier to live in that kind of place and have your mind at ease. If there are other choices out there, consider them. It's worth the hassle of a move to live in a place you actually want to come home to.
I'm thinking I'm going to ignore them...It's tough, there's only 12 units in the building, so everyone knows each other fairly well, plus a new DH bikey coming this week...we'll see what happens.
If someone approaches you about your bikes, let them know that they're too expensive to be kept in a storage unit and that you will be sure to clean up any after yourself just like any responsible adult would. It really is your business what hobbies/mode of transportation you have, not theirs. Babies/toddlers/children can make bigger messes than bikes and I don't hear landlords making people agree to not having kids.
Similarly, my apartment building made me initial an agreement saying that I understood that no musical instruments are allowed in the building, but it's not in the lease. Hence, we have an electric guitar and play it only through headphones. Guitars are a key part of who were are--we're not going to not have one because the landlord automatically assumes we're going to play it all loud and stuff.
Similarly, my apartment building made me initial an agreement saying that I understood that no musical instruments are allowed in the building, but it's not in the lease. Hence, we have an electric guitar and play it only through headphones. Guitars are a key part of who were are--we're not going to not have one because the landlord automatically assumes we're going to play it all loud and stuff.
Just wanted to bump this up...
After 7 months, the issue has been brought up again. However, now our lease is done (ended in June) and we've been going month-to-month. I think that's part of the reason...can the rental agreement come into play at any moment right now?
Supposedly, a bike storage area is being put in inside of a storage room next to the carport on ground level. I just spoke to the asshat fat bitch manager about it after she fat bitched out Caitlin on Saturday about her bike. Apparently we're the only tenants who would really use said bike storage room, but they won't just rent it out to us for extra dough per month. It would give me better peace of mind to have the bikes there, but I still have the issue of working on them.
Apparently their new concern is the small stairway I have to go through to get to my door and subsequent damage the bikes have caused going in and out. By damage, I mean small nicks in the paint of the cheap steel railing that goes along the stairs that I myself could easily repair (a chunk of sandpaper and white paint come to mind), but our home-improvement illiterate landlord could not.
Anywho, she said from today no bikes are to be in the apt or they'll give us 30 days. I told her to give me time to buy locks and crap if I'm being forced to keep them in the Silence of the Lambs "storage unit". I feel very uncomfortable keeping the bikes down there, and would rather wait until the bike rack is ready. Keep in mind all of this is coming from the mouth of a retard making a shabby attempt at covering her own ass (She didn't tell us in the first place of the rule, and then she let it go for 7 months, even after we'd asked her to have the landlord talk to us to try to reach a compromise).
I think I'm gonna go skulk around with my camera taking pictures and scare her.
After 7 months, the issue has been brought up again. However, now our lease is done (ended in June) and we've been going month-to-month. I think that's part of the reason...can the rental agreement come into play at any moment right now?
Supposedly, a bike storage area is being put in inside of a storage room next to the carport on ground level. I just spoke to the asshat fat bitch manager about it after she fat bitched out Caitlin on Saturday about her bike. Apparently we're the only tenants who would really use said bike storage room, but they won't just rent it out to us for extra dough per month. It would give me better peace of mind to have the bikes there, but I still have the issue of working on them.
Apparently their new concern is the small stairway I have to go through to get to my door and subsequent damage the bikes have caused going in and out. By damage, I mean small nicks in the paint of the cheap steel railing that goes along the stairs that I myself could easily repair (a chunk of sandpaper and white paint come to mind), but our home-improvement illiterate landlord could not.
Anywho, she said from today no bikes are to be in the apt or they'll give us 30 days. I told her to give me time to buy locks and crap if I'm being forced to keep them in the Silence of the Lambs "storage unit". I feel very uncomfortable keeping the bikes down there, and would rather wait until the bike rack is ready. Keep in mind all of this is coming from the mouth of a retard making a shabby attempt at covering her own ass (She didn't tell us in the first place of the rule, and then she let it go for 7 months, even after we'd asked her to have the landlord talk to us to try to reach a compromise).
I think I'm gonna go skulk around with my camera taking pictures and scare her.
Move.
Yeah, we're looking at apartments. I really like the location and **** though...our rent IS going up soon though, making this place not the great deal it once was.
How's the renter's market in your area? If that happened in Seattle, I would tell my landlord to shove it.
I'd tell her to **** off. Your apt, your posessions. I would also get it IN WRITTING, that if and when the bikes get stolen from that storage unit, they will cover replacement cost.
In the specific neighborhood (Avenues) it's relatively tight. If you don't mind living in a ****hole downtown or on Capitol Hill you're okay.
It's really pissing us both off too...it would've been nice to receive the ultimatum before school started in the summer (and when more apartments were available), instead of now.
Edit:
If I tell them to **** off, they'll give us a 30 day notice. Is there anything to combat that?
dude screw that place!!! these are your BIKES. tell them to f' off or just up and move out anyway. sounds like they are just being a pain in the ass. get out of there.
Go over to there house in the middle of the night, and tap on the windows, ring the doorbell, and then talk to them util they tell you to leave.
Or you could call the cops and tell them that they are growing Pot in their Apt.:biggrin: put them through alot of trouble.
Or you could call the cops and tell them that they are growing Pot in their Apt.:biggrin: put them through alot of trouble.
Living in a college apartments last year my bike got yoinked out of the storage unit by some clown from town (not someon I lived with). Some of the parts have been recovered, but I lost a lot of nice stuff (Talas RLC, X.O parts etc...).
I would do all I could to not have something like that happen.
I would do all I could to not have something like that happen.
So do they forbid people wearing hiking boots too?
Sorry you have to deal with this... good luck.
Sorry you have to deal with this... good luck.
I'm tempted to ask them if they'd evict me if I was in a wheelchair.
Asshats.
Asshats.
What a dumb b!tch. Ask her that!
When I moved in, they tried to tell me the same thing. I said too bad, they are staying inside. They were gonna give me this great deal on a garage, but not for me! I have a whole second bedroom dedicated as the bike room 