• DahGangalang@infosec.pub
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      9 months ago

      So other commenters have opinions that I think are rational, but the part that I think is key that they’re missing: Tenant Unions.

      I have some (in my opinion) tyrannical yet lazy land lords/property managers at my current apt, and have attempted to form a tenant union. Apparently no one agrees with my level of disgust at our treatment, so I’ve kind of wiffed at the effort.

      Which is to say that it takes real work, but it can be done and there are resources for you, but that’s the first step: don’t go alone.

    • mindbleach
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      9 months ago

      Over that, then.

      “It’s legal 'cuz we wrote it down” is a bullshit argument not worth entertaining.

      • cosmic_slate@dmv.social
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        9 months ago

        Sure if you have time and money to throw at the problem, but lawyers aren’t cheap and you need a strong argument.

        Resorting to internet-tough-guy “just sue them” might feel good to say but it’s impractical and, quite frankly, incredibly naive advice.

        A number of states don’t have many prohibitions on what fees get charged as long as it gets disclosed and is done so fairly and with “reasonable” (whatever that is) notice.

        So what are you going to do? Sign the lease with the fee clearly stated then roll the dice? If you lose, now you’re out the cost of a lawyer, time out from work, stuck in a year at a place that’s sketchy, and the bonus consolation prize of being forced to pay for internet that you don’t want.

        Your best bet is to not sign a lease (or renew) from a property like that and leave a 1 star review saying they force you to buy internet even if you don’t want it from a provider.

        I’ve gone through disputing fees from a landlord and required the use of a lawyer. Had it went to court, it would have been a substantial headache to deal with.

        • mindbleach
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          9 months ago

          As opposed to moving, in this market, which is cheap and easy.

          • cosmic_slate@dmv.social
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            9 months ago

            Do you know how much it costs if you have to get a lawyer out of pocket?

            A few hours of time easily gets you a few guys and a moving truck for a couple hours.

      • surewhynotlem@lemmy.world
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        9 months ago

        You’d be more effective taking all of that cash and flushing it down the toilet. It would have the same result, and it would force the landlord to pay for a plumber.

    • db2@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      The landlord can do bulk billing, and they can refuse to allow other companies to service the property. As a tenant the first one doesn’t mean you have to buy in to that, and the second doesn’t apply to wireless providers. Both things are a basis to sue.

      Also this was a simple search away. Please do the simple searching yourself from now on.

        • TempermentalAnomaly@lemmy.world
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          9 months ago

          This is an addendum to the original lease. They don’t have to sign it and the landlord still has to honor the terms of the original lease.

      • flawedFraction@lemmy.world
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        9 months ago

        Also this was a simple search away. Please do the simple searching yourself from now on.

        Please don’t post one word comments and then get annoyed when someone asks you to elaborate.