topic Re: Any landlords out there? in Community Chat

Any landlords out there?

LilacTree — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 20:25:34 GMT

My daughter who is sick with Lyme Disease has a rental lease that expires at the end of March. She has not been able to work since February of 2014, almost a year. She cannot afford the house she has been living in due to her significant decrease in income. She does get alimony and we have been helping her get her bills paid this past year.

She has been looking for an affordable place to live for many months, and cannot find one for her, her two kids, and her tiny elderly poodle mix companion ("No Pets!"). No one will accept someone who is not working and most do not count her alimony as permanent income (even though it is). As I said, my other girls and I have been helping her financially, but we are not rich. Together we have a good income, I have good credit, and we both have excellent rental referrals.

The solution we have come to is that she and I get a rental together and share expenses. That will alleviate the negative financial aspect of her already difficult life and make it easier for all of us. However, we are limited to the kind of housing available because we both can't do stairs (me not at all, without help and for her very taxing on her physically).

We need a ranch-type house (or an apartment on a first floor with three bedrooms, which does not exist). In our area significant building up in what was formerly the farming part of the state did not exist until the 1960s, when mostly large homes and apartment/condo complexes started to spring up. We lived in many of them when we first moved down here in 1977. Since then it has exploded thrice-fold and, like everywhere, there's hardly any land left that is not government protected, which I am not against by any means. But there are few single family, one-story homes that are for rent right now and that are not in bad shape and located in flat flood areas, presumably loaded with mold, not good for anyone, and certainly not people like us who are already immune-compromised.

Realtor keeps sending us the same listings (all with bedrooms up) and we have now expanded our search area to two counties. Time is running out. And I won't even go into the overwhelming task of packing up and moving both of us out of our present homes and moving us into a new place. And the fact that neither of us can do this by ourselves physically. My other daughters will help as much as they can, but they do work full time. Movers charge thousands extra for packing, so that is not an option.

I was thinking perhaps a landlord would allow us to install a stair chairlift if we pay for it and promise to take it down when we leave. They install right on the stairs and the walls would not be damaged. If you were a landlord, would you allow that . . . all else being equal . . . meaning they would accept us (as an odd couple) and her doggie?

Re: Any landlords out there?

Topaz Gem — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 20:34:00 GMT

I think Cardinal Girl is a landlord. Hopefully she'll see this.

Re: Any landlords out there?

LilacTree — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 20:38:17 GMT

On 1/24/2015 Topaz Gem said: I think Cardinal Girl is a landlord. Hopefully she'll see this.

The realtor was "this way-that way" about whether that would be an option or not, although she did say she has seen chairlifts in homes. That would give us dozens more options. So fingers crossed.

Thanks for your response Topaz.

Re: Any landlords out there?

game-on — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 20:43:27 GMT

Ford.... turn on the charm.... anything is negotiable!

Re: Any landlords out there?

LilacTree — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 20:48:23 GMT

On 1/24/2015 game-on said:
Ford.... turn on the charm.... anything is negotiable!

Ya think? Hope so!! We will be looking at some places next Wed or Thurs.

Re: Any landlords out there?

tansy — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 20:52:16 GMT

Have you checked the costs of stairway lifts yet? I like the idea of you sharing a place with your daughter. Good luck on your house hunt

Re: Any landlords out there?

LilacTree — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 20:56:58 GMT

On 1/24/2015 tansy said: Have you checked the costs of stairway lifts yet? I like the idea of you sharing a place with your daughter. Good luck on your house hunt

Yes. Depending upon the layout of the stairwell, they run from $1,500 up and vary by weight capacity, believe it or not. We are both in the 120-130 lb category.

Thanks Tansy. It's always something.

Re: Any landlords out there?

adelle38 — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 21:00:29 GMT

Ford,

Am I remembering correctly that you live in New Jersey? In view of your medical challenges have you checked this resource?

http://nj.gov/njhrc/affordable_housing.html

Re: Any landlords out there?

LilacTree — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 21:04:38 GMT

On 1/24/2015 adelle38 said:
Ford,

Am I remembering correctly that you live in New Jersey? In view of your medical challenges have you checked this resource?

http://nj.gov/njhrc/affordable_housing.html

OMG, no. I thought we had checked everywhere, but I just looked at this site and don't recall it. I don't know if we will qualify because of our income, and her disease is not recognized, though mine is.

I will most definitely check this out right now! Thanks so much, Adelle!

Re: Any landlords out there?

LilacTree — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 21:29:07 GMT

I can't seem to navigate that site, adelle. Everything I click on leads me back to the same first page and not the second page where one can search. There is a phone number I can call. I'll keep trying. Thanks again.

Re: Any landlords out there?

adelle38 — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 21:43:49 GMT

On 1/24/2015 Ford1224 said:
I can't seem to navigate that site, adelle. Everything I click on leads me back to the same first page and not the second page where one can search. There is a phone number I can call. I'll keep trying. Thanks again.

Have you gotten to this link? The homepage is confusing.

http://www.socialserve.com/tenant/index.html?state_id=4041&type=rental&accessibility=true&ch=NJ

Re: Any landlords out there?

Marienkaefer2 — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 21:50:11 GMT

Ford, I only wanted to.jump in and say that I think it's great that you will share a home. It sounds like the search process has been difficult so far, but don t give up. I will send positive thoughts your way that the right place will turn up. I know you're working with an agent. What about doing a listing in the local papers? Or on Craigslist? Just a thought....

Re: Any landlords out there?

LilacTree — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 22:22:04 GMT

On 1/24/2015 Marienkaefer2 said: Ford, I only wanted to.jump in and say that I think it's great that you will share a home. It sounds like the search process has been difficult so far, but don t give up. I will send positive thoughts your way that the right place will turn up. I know you're working with an agent. What about doing a listing in the local papers? Or on Craigslist? Just a thought....

I wouldn't trust Craigslist, and she has been picking up the local Sunday paper, and the little township flyers and hasn't found anything so far. She just started that recently. It's hard for her to get out most days.

Realtors also are not that interested in rentals, they want to work for buyers. This is the third realtor we've worked with and so far she hasn't been able to find anything outside of the MLS listings, or she isn't bothering to look. The first two just never called, they sent listings and when we called and left messages (which is all you get . . VMs) they don't call back. It's really frustrating.

Thanks MarienK, for your positive thoughts . . . need them!!

Re: Any landlords out there?

Marienkaefer2 — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 23:20:34 GMT

Hi Ford! I was thinking that you could place a listing in the paper of what you're looking for. Something like "Looking for rental..." and list your needs for what you want in a house. There might be something out there...especially if you widen the search area, as you've said you're doing. Just a thought. But, I will definitely send keep sending positive thoughts. Don't get discouraged. It's difficult now, but the right house will turn up. I've been through similar situations. I found what I was looking for when I least expected it! I know you're under a time constraint, but don't give up!

Re: Any landlords out there?

dmod nj — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 23:31:36 GMT

Ford, you can rent the stair chairlift. I did this for my mom in her home. The company charged installation, removal and one month's rent at the time of installation...about $800.00. It is about 125.00 per month. They bill monthly.

I called the company and asked if they serviced your area. They do not. You are too far. I can ask them for a recommendation, if you want.

Good luck!!

Re: Any landlords out there?

LilacTree — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 23:51:38 GMT

On 1/24/2015 dmod nj said:
Ford, you can rent the stair chairlift. I did this for my mom in her home. The company charged installation, removal and one month's rent at the time of installation...about $800.00. It is about 125.00 per month. They bill monthly.

I called the company and asked if they serviced your area. They do not. You are too far. I can ask them for a recommendation, if you want.

Good luck!!

Please do dmod!! Thank you, that will be fantastic if I can rent one, much much less money.

I come here for answers and I almost always get them. Maybe there's one in Philly. We are not that far from Philly.

Re: Any landlords out there?

LilacTree — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 02:18:39 GMT

Dmod, I looked up several places in our area. This is a wonderful idea. They seem to be charging more ($150 per month) but it would still be a good solution. OMG there is so much to think about. My daughter is going to ask the landlord if she can go month to month until June so my grandson can graduate before she has to move. Also to give us more time to try to accumulate a little more money for all of this.

But we have to find a place first, and the stair chair option gives us dozens more choices. It's overwhelming how much has to be done. We've moved a lot, but never had a double move before!

Re: Any landlords out there?

madzonie — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 02:24:56 GMT

ADA laws compel landlords to allow disabled tenants the chance to modify living spaces for accessibilty...often with a requirement that the property be returned to the condition it was before the disabled tenant moved in - and of course at the tenant's expense. And sometimes cities/counties have grant monies available to help defray costs for the tenant. Check with your city or county for possible options.

Re: Any landlords out there?

CardinalGirl — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 02:52:26 GMT

I am a landlord and would definitely allow it. I don't think that's an unreasonable request at all.

Re: Any landlords out there?

cody2 — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 03:53:16 GMT

On 1/24/2015 Ford1224 said:
Dmod, I looked up several places in our area. This is a wonderful idea. They seem to be charging more ($150 per month) but it would still be a good solution. OMG there is so much to think about. My daughter is going to ask the landlord if she can go month to month until June so my grandson can graduate before she has to move. Also to give us more time to try to accumulate a little more money for all of this.

But we have to find a place first, and the stair chair option gives us dozens more choices. It's overwhelming how much has to be done. We've moved a lot, but never had a double move before!

You will get it done. I am excited for you!