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Fabric Dragon - i will not buy a shotgun to hunt landlords. i will not buy a shotgun to hunt landlords
November 9th, 2009
11:22 pm

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i will not buy a shotgun to hunt landlords. i will not buy a shotgun to hunt landlords
my friend [info]deza has been having loads of issues.....
relatives from hell, problems with hubby's military transfer paperwork.. housing woes....plus her serious health issues and trying to take care of her kids.  basically? she needs a break.

so.... she finally finds an apt for lease she can afford.... its all set to go... and she mentioned to the agent that she had a service dog
suddenly it is "already rented out by another agent"

GGGGGggggggggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
right now i am counting to a thousand and trying to stay calm. it COULD be true.... i mean the other agent part.......but i dont think so.

 if any of you can spare a prayer, or a candle, or a large metal  landlord bat, or a word of encouragement to her..... please do. it was the only available apt in her budget....
(some cash  infusions are never a bad idea either... she wont ask, but i sure will)



Current Location: home, cold trying to warm up
Current Mood: angry
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[User Picture]
From:[info]flyslip
Date:November 10th, 2009 04:39 am (UTC)
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I echo your righteous anger. Unfortunately, I can't offer more than my good wishes to her, as I'm about to become homeless myself (and lose my 'support animal' of sorts, Cleo the cat, who's staying in the apartment with the man I called my husband up until a few hours ago.)
[User Picture]
From:[info]fabricdragon
Date:November 10th, 2009 04:44 am (UTC)
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i posted in your journal.....

i dont suppose there is any reason for you two to actually pool resources? she is south of me. i think thats out of your area????

i am SO bad at "where people live"
[User Picture]
From:[info]flyslip
Date:November 10th, 2009 07:14 am (UTC)
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I'm in NYC, which is north of you, so yeah... we might not be able to pool resources (a shame).
[User Picture]
From:[info]deza
Date:November 10th, 2009 12:54 pm (UTC)
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That would be a bit far, since I'm moving to coastal NC. ;)
[User Picture]
From:[info]fabricdragon
Date:November 10th, 2009 02:46 pm (UTC)
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well.... obviously you need to stay near job. hmmm
hmmm
if you see anyone else on my list say they have housing issues, check where they live.. maybe ae no?

in the meantime
L A W Y E R.

and hugs
[User Picture]
From:[info]deza
Date:November 10th, 2009 12:55 pm (UTC)
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My condolences. The divorce process sucks. I can say from experience that it is survivable, and there are times when you'll be absolutely amazed at how much life can improve regardless of your relative financial levels. *hugs*
[User Picture]
From:[info]aoi_no_neko
Date:November 10th, 2009 04:40 am (UTC)
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If she is disabled or someone else is, they need to file a complaint with their state attorney. That would be more effective than anything else.
[User Picture]
From:[info]fabricdragon
Date:November 10th, 2009 04:45 am (UTC)
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she is.
and yes she does need to
but proving things is, at best, time consuming...in the meantime she needs to find housing.... and of course when you are ill, and not at peak strength, is not the time to have added stress..
[User Picture]
From:[info]aoi_no_neko
Date:November 10th, 2009 05:04 am (UTC)
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Yes I know all that because I too, along with many other people also are going through the same thing.

Just saying the best thing to do when one has been discrimated against is to file with their state attorney. Most have it set up on line so it doesn't take a lot of time, in fact less than posting on LJ.
[User Picture]
From:[info]fabricdragon
Date:November 10th, 2009 02:30 pm (UTC)
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oh i am SO sorry to hear that..
well i will pass it on to her. i know a few years back it wasnt online in this state, but that was a few years back
[User Picture]
From:[info]fabricdragon
Date:November 10th, 2009 02:48 pm (UTC)
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you are not near NYC are you? because if so you should talk to flyslip..... who is also near there and also losing her place.

i have no idea where people live. none.. very bad at it...
[User Picture]
From:[info]deza
Date:November 10th, 2009 12:53 pm (UTC)
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I plan to, as soon as I can confirm that the story I was given (another agent rented it out) is either true or false. I don't want to go off without a reason.
[User Picture]
From:[info]fabricdragon
Date:November 10th, 2009 02:30 pm (UTC)
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i still say file it. that way the time you complained is logged
[User Picture]
From:[info]monsqueek
Date:November 10th, 2009 04:52 am (UTC)
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*kicks landlords in the shin*

When I look for rentals I do not mention my SD if I can at all avoid it without outright lying.
[User Picture]
From:[info]deza
Date:November 10th, 2009 12:52 pm (UTC)
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I did it in the interest of honesty. One of these days I'll learn honesty comes back to bite me on the butt, without fail.
[User Picture]
From:[info]monsqueek
Date:November 10th, 2009 12:59 pm (UTC)
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Oh, don't get me wrong, I wasn't suggesting you lie... But its not information I would offer without being specifically asked. Personally I don't consider omission a lie... but that can vary between individuals own ethics and morals.

I hope you find a place soon *hugs*
[User Picture]
From:[info]dameroksanne
Date:November 10th, 2009 08:42 pm (UTC)

voice from the dark side

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I am an expert on property and liens. I am not an attorney, I am an auctioneer. The kind of auctioneer people hate 'cause I come in and sell when folks default.

In the future, get the contract on the property first. Read it completely and make sure you understand it. Then commit them to it. Both parties need to sign, you need to stroke them a check, and accept keys.

Now their ass is yours.

Then let them know about the service dog. If they try to squirm out you have them dead to rights and the management company can get a hard education on American's with Disabilities Act law.

Play hard ball with the property managers in the beginning because people in my profession are not driven by sympathy or compassion. We are advocates for our client-which is not you. It's the actual property owner.

Tenants are the enemy, an enemy who gives us money.
[User Picture]
From:[info]fabricdragon
Date:November 10th, 2009 09:01 pm (UTC)

Re: voice from the dark side

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in landlord/tenant relations.... generally speaking you do indeed have to act as though it is , if not "the enemy" at least suspect.

same as when job hunting.... if the HR person talks to you you NEVER mention anything that might cost the company money.... like kids.. or health issues
[User Picture]
From:[info]dameroksanne
Date:November 11th, 2009 12:10 am (UTC)

Re: voice from the dark side

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Business is war. Kind of like playing 'Risk' with real stakes.

HR is the enemy of the employees. It's their job to prevent unemployment claims from being paid out. When I see you in person next I will tell you a story about how a company fires HR. I can't put it in print.

Anytime contractual negotiations go on, it is like playing chess with real people. No one, not even your own next of kin, can be given even an inch.

I have seen too many times where family lent an adult child money to start a business. The business did well, but because the parents were not in a limited partnership, but held title, they pushed for forced sale because they saw that business as an asset they wanted liquidated for immediate gain. Even though the child wanted to keep running it because....it was their livihood!

Go hard or go home when negotiating. Negotiations are about getting what you want, not making people happy. Well, making yourself happy.
[User Picture]
From:[info]deza
Date:November 11th, 2009 01:01 am (UTC)

Re: voice from the dark side

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Thank you! I've been a landlord before, but I was always one of those kind idiots who said pets were fine, so this type of behavior is foreign to me. I'll definitely be more savvy next time around.

Oh, and your icon? I used to be a stripper. It paid for both my education degree and my master's degree. I also made more doing that than I ever did as a librarian!
[User Picture]
From:[info]fabricdragon
Date:November 11th, 2009 01:06 am (UTC)

Re: voice from the dark side

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laughs
back in my thin days i was a go go dancer.....before all the coke girls with their plastic boobies started working in the bars it was a decent living.. errrr.. an indecent living?
[User Picture]
From:[info]dameroksanne
Date:November 10th, 2009 08:44 pm (UTC)
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You are not legally required to do that. Right and wrong are social constructs, you are engaging in a legal contract. The law is the only consideration.
[User Picture]
From:[info]metisbutterfly
Date:November 10th, 2009 04:54 am (UTC)
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Sending much healing and blessings to your friend, that her situation improves.
[User Picture]
From:[info]deza
Date:November 10th, 2009 12:51 pm (UTC)
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Thank you!
[User Picture]
From:[info]kyleri
Date:November 10th, 2009 05:56 am (UTC)
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I have an axe.

...just sayin'.
[User Picture]
From:[info]ladyfox7oaks
Date:November 10th, 2009 06:07 am (UTC)
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I finally heard that song, and now understand your icon... IT ROCKS!
[User Picture]
From:[info]kyleri
Date:November 10th, 2009 06:13 am (UTC)
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*bows* Thank you! I schwinked it from [info]talkstowolves, who has done a whole series of em.
[User Picture]
From:[info]ladyfox7oaks
Date:November 10th, 2009 06:08 am (UTC)
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And I HAVE to wonder just how fast that agent will "Miraculously find" another abode, when the ACLU comes knocking on their door?
[User Picture]
From:[info]deza
Date:November 10th, 2009 12:50 pm (UTC)
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I debated giving them that chance, just walking into their office once I reach town and calmly telling them they could either provide the unit we'd agreed on, a comparably priced unit, or speak to my military-provided lawyer. First I'm going to make sure the agent wasn't being honest with me--for all I know someone else could have rented it out in the 24 hours it took for my husband to ok the whole thing.
[User Picture]
From:[info]ladyfox7oaks
Date:November 10th, 2009 06:33 pm (UTC)
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He SHOULD have said something like "Darn it, I'll find you another one as quickly as possible!" or made some sort of noise about getting you a better place at a discount or SOMETHING to indicate he didn't say that purely because you have an S.A.
[User Picture]
From:[info]dana3
Date:November 10th, 2009 11:53 am (UTC)
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So why did she mention the service dog?? Either the dog has people-rights, in which case there's nothing to mention, or the dog is a pet, which is denied by the title service dog. SO the dog has people rights, so what is there to discuss? (I'm assuming a certified service animal here, for justified medical cause.) Enquiring minds, slightly boggled ...
[User Picture]
From:[info]deza
Date:November 10th, 2009 12:41 pm (UTC)
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Actually there is no official "certification" for service animals, according to the ADA. It's weird. My Guinness is largely home-trained (though he is at an official trainer's this week, getting some polish and some distraction work while we stay with friends). Technically, he's a large fluffy piece of medical equipment, providing stability when I walk, giving me a leverage point when I fall, and pulling my wheelchair on the *really* bad days. He fills all of the ADA's requirements for a service animal, so he is one.

I mentioned him because the place has neighbors, and I didn't want someone calling her up complaining that I had a *gasp* dog daring to urinate on the flowerbeds. It seems only right to me that I take the step of being honest in my business transactions--I would have also told her if I were on a noisy treatment machine that might disturb others or require extreme means to access the property, just because I feel the landlord has a right to know.
[User Picture]
From:[info]dana3
Date:November 10th, 2009 01:38 pm (UTC)
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::nod:: You mentioned children, too. :) Both mentions are nice of you. Both could have cost you the apt, too. In times like these, it's hard to know. The problem with discriminatory treatment is that it is SO bloody hard to prove ... and as all of us who have been po' for a minute or ten can tell you, rights only count if you've got dollar$ enough to hire the lawyer to enforce them.

So thanks for the explanation -- I can see why you did that, and it was noble and appropriate of you. I'm just sorry it cost you the place. Here's to a better place for all of you!!
[User Picture]
From:[info]fabricdragon
Date:November 10th, 2009 02:54 pm (UTC)
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she assumes honesty and also assumes people will behave in a legal and responsible manner.
BTDT had it bite me

LEGALLY it is a non issue. just a case of "just to let you know you may see a dog"

realistically? never mention a service dog, or kids, or anything until th elease is signed
[User Picture]
From:[info]deza
Date:November 10th, 2009 12:48 pm (UTC)
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Thanks for the signal boost, hon. I really appreciate it. *hugs*

Telling the landlord about Guinness may not have been the smartest thing to do, but I still maintain it was the right thing to do. The last thing I want is for one of my kids to get harangued by a neighbor for taking him out to relieve himself, or heaven forfend have some actual downtime when I can't make it out of bed. My 10-year-old daughter has already been called a "joy-riding liar" for returning an electric cart for me at the grocery store--the person who said that thought she was too young to have a disabled mother. Thats scarring enough for a kid, and I hate that they're learning first-hand that parents aren't immortal or invulnerable. The least I can do is make sure that the kids get as little crap as possible by keeping interested parties fully informed.

I have faith that we'll find a place when we move Thursday, one way or another.
[User Picture]
From:[info]miri_me
Date:November 10th, 2009 01:15 pm (UTC)
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*blinks* You have to be old to be registered disabled these days..? *picks up mind which boggled right out of head at this concept*

The thing is, people shouldn't have problems with service animals. They're service animals! They're trained to help, not chew up furniture! And letting people know that there will be children plus a service animal in the place seems like common sense, as you say - and if they accept children, I can't see why they wouldn't accept service animals..!

I mean, if there was a real issue why they couldn't let you have a service animal there (I'm not sure if there would be any health and safety things which would preclude one from a property that an agent would rent out to a disabled mother..?), that's one thing. If the landlord dislikes animals - they're not going to be living there! I'm guessing you're entitled to 24/48 hours' notice of inspections over there too? If there's a phobia issue, they could ask that the dog not be present when they inspect it (and if they give you time/date flexibility to accomodate that, there's no reason why it would be a serious problem)...

It sucks and makes little sense - I hope it gets sorted out quickly and relatively painlessly!!!
[User Picture]
From:[info]fabricdragon
Date:November 10th, 2009 02:36 pm (UTC)
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my dad is deaf. he has a asservice dog who wears her little coat and all....
they have been bared entrance to .......6? resterants (illegal) and at least 4 office buildings... and i dont know how many other places

because most people out there only know "guide dog for blind person"

now MY mom and dad are alert vocal people who have WORKED in the social service industry for years. have been on mayor's commissions for handicapped, etc....so when this happens THEY are loud, and persistent, and have friends thay can call.

also discriminating against a minister looks very bad in the papers.

most of the handicapped folks out there do not have their contacts, their energy, or my mom, the certified interpreter who worked in the biggest regional handicapped services provider....

1. people dont know
2. those that do know often assume you are lying
3. they also know they can get away with it
[User Picture]
From:[info]fabricdragon
Date:November 10th, 2009 02:39 pm (UTC)
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first of all.... you should have filed a complaint with the store..... for ADA compliance and for their treatment of your child.
it wouldnt do any good. i know.. but most chain stores and usually most employees HATE to be complained about or written up.

2.
the time to mention the service dog is AFTER you have signed the lease. that way the neighbors can be told. the landlord knows.... but they cant do much about it.. or if they do its easy to prove.
same thing with noisy equipment

your husband needs to not be involved, or be able to work faster.... because that gap in time is going to make it harder to prove.... but
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