rental anxiety

perthguy100 · ‎11-12-2017

Hey guys, i guess i'm mostly just using this as a way to vent. I'd consider myself living with anxiety/depression that generally well managed with medication.

Essentially i had a negative interaction with my landlord the other day. I had complained about some maintenance issues and was concerned that the realestate agent wanted me to pay for drycleaning drapes that based on what i read on tenancywa was not my problem.

The realestate agent said the landlord wanted to stop by to discuss the maintenance issues and i agreed to have her come over. When she arrived she seemed quite angry and frustrated and said something along the lines that we were telling her how to run her business. Instead of standing up for myself i went into damage control. In the end I didn't like the experience and I didn't like the way it left myself and my girlfriend feeling. Like we didn't matter, like we were just an annoyance.

I tossed and turned about whether I should say something. I concluded that I'm an amazing tenant (i've been there for years, always pay bills, maintain the place really well) and that i don't deserve to be treated like that. So I wrote an email to the realestate agent about my concerns.

Frankly now i'm just stewing in my own anxiety. Did I do the right thing standing up for myself? Should I have just kept my mouth shut? The power imbalance between tenant and landlord can be quite stressful. I have made this place my home and I guess i fear that she could make my life difficult and then decide not to sign me on for another 12 months when my lease comes up in a few months. The uncertainty is quite distressing. Though being able to vent here certainly helps, even if no one reads this.

white knight · ‎11-12-2017

Hi perthguy

Conflict at any time is unsettling. The anxiety of it isnt easy to overcome.

Also avoidance is often elusive.

I hope all works out.

Tony WK

Bethie · ‎12-12-2017

Hi Perthguy

My partner and I had the same sort of stress a few years ago. If you've been renting the same place for years and kinda know the owner maybe they would consider having you as a private tenant.

The owner of our house has a few properties he lets the tenants he knows rent privatel from him.

Landlords want to keep good stable tenants and it can also save them money.

Just a idea that worked for me. Like you I've suffered anxiety since a teen.

perthguy100 · ‎12-12-2017

Thanks for the kind words Tony and Beth.

Actually it's the land lord that's a bit more stressful to deal with. The realestate agent is generally quite professional.

I've actually caved and have attempted to recall the email... probably won't work but the anxiety of it all is keeping me from falling asleep.

geoff · ‎12-12-2017

hi Pethguy, welcome and it's normally the landlord's job to maintain the property if something breaks down, if they do this then they will have a good tenant, bad tenants are a nightmare and certainly not what any landlord would ever want.
You could mention to the real estate that you will get the drapes cleaned and send the bill to them for the landlord to pay, whether she does pay is yet to be seen, however you could take her to the tribunal but this may cause her to evict you, but when the lease is due for renewal them sign it on the condition the drapes are cleaned, I'm sure the R/E would be backing you up.
If you love living there and pay all the rent on time then the landlord must be happy and the real estate happy as well, they dislike bad tenants, but they were the ones who got them.
After each inspection by the R/E they send a report to the landlord, saying that she has perfect tenants, but if the L/L comes and inspects her property some can be stubborn on what work needs to be done, so I would be asking your the R/E rather than the L/L.
There are L/L up where I live who refuse to do anything, so their houses/flats are a total mess.
Let us know how you get on. Geoff.