Tenants

Subject: Re: What would you do??
Date: 2001-11-24 19:47:16 PST

Couple words of advice from someone who's been there a time
or two. I can appreciate what you're going through. Landlords
who still have some sort of personal attachment to the property
they're renting out, are the worst kind of landlords.

First, consider giving it some time. If they're 800 miles away,
then once hunting season is over, you probably won't see them
again. The end of hunting season should wrap up the other
shenanigans that you're suffering. Hang in there, try not to
get mad even though you have the right to be mad, keep your
communication with them to a minimum, and wait a couple
months.

Second, the advice of others that you review your legal situation with
an attorney, is good advice. Have the attorney review the lease
and go over the situation so you know where you stand and what
recourse you have. You will probably find, in the end, that you
don't have effective recourse, because the cost of sticking up for
yourself in court is going to be too much to be worth it. But you
should still check. If you can find a book on landlord/tenant law
that is specific to the state you're in, that might help, too, especially
if you are unwilling to talk to an attorney for cost or other reasons.

Third, the only way that tenants can win disputes with landlords
is by moving out. Clearly you are renting unusual property and
will have a tough time finding another place to go. There is cost
and stress with any move and especially so with horses and
other animals. But if your landlords still wish they lived at the
place you're living at, and you still have problems after a month
or two, you are probably better off leaving.

As for the one-year lease, your attorney can help you out of
that on the legal side. If you have any moral qualms, you
should let them rest since they are not allowing you to use
and enjoy the property that you're paying for.

Finally, while you may not think it my place to tell you so, no one
has any business buying horses until they can afford to purchase
their own farm. Sell them, or failing that, find them a good
home, and you'll at least be ahead the feed, hay, bedding, and vet
expenses that they consume every day you own them. I've seen
too many people travel the road you're on, and the stories don't
usually have happy endings.

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