Xmas Rental Nightmare - Advice Please - Where To From Here ?

[sergio]

Mr Queso, Could you explain something.....You said that if a 6 month contract is renewed for another 6 month term it becomes a 2 year contract and thus it is harder to evict a tenant, right? What if the contract is renewed for less than 6 months, say five? Does it NOT convert to a 2 year contract?

 

[Juanito]

Hi Nik - just emailed you then - in short: paying in cash in the husband's office once a month - but have pressured them so that the last two months at least I do have a signed receipt for payment (told them I am using it for tax back home - which is actually true...) Still tearing the place apart looking for the contract

 

[Juanito]

Sergio - I must have missed something there (?) Its interesting to note that in the SAME BREATH when our landlady from hell called my partner last night to say ''you're still out'' (get ready to move) and re-stating that it was only for three weeks (for her damn brazilian friends to come and have their annual three week holiday which apparently they have done - in this apartment - for the last 10 years...

Well - anyway - in the SAME BREATH she was also saying that OF COURSE she was happy to organize to sign us up for another 18 months contract (?????) I guess when we get to the final day (Jan 11th) IF we are still in the apartment by then maybe the rule you are talking about Sergio applies ?

 

[mrporoto]

I am looking for a single room to rent from Feb for 3 months,any of you folks know of or have a place for quiet english gent,with no bad habits.The accommodation forum is a bit naff.Cheers.

 

[Gringoboy]

Juanito, my 2c worth.
Stay put at least till you're ready to go and in the meantime find somewhere else and get far away from these people.
From what you've written here on this forum, it's quite clear that either way and sooner rather than later, they will shaft you.

 

[Juanito]

GringoBoy - agreed... I have a simple rule in life - I treat everybody right - and I honour my commitments and so on. But ONCE someone shows me they are going to go back on their deal, break their word, whatever - that is IT - I am now resigned to the fact that I will have to move - but I will NOT be thrown out the door in five minutes and if I need an extra month to get out I will take it and her brazilian friends - well, they can go and stick it where the sun doesn't shine... They are not going to be happy but that is their problem... IF she was not prepared to allow us to renew every 6 months ''without problems'' as she AGREED to she shouldn't have taken the 20,000 peso deposit/etc. or signed the contract with us... That simple... Have to admit it though - this board is well worth being on - have already made one or two extremely HELPFUL connections here - and it was wonderful for me and sil to talk to you today Nik - definitely cheered us both up at a time we are not travelling so well...

 

[lucha54]

My advice is a little more regenade... after reading your latest update this morning I was reflecting on your situation. Just change the locks and tell them to take you to court. They are breaking their contract, no? They are a-holes. If they have so many properties where they can just shift tenants around, they obviously have some money too. So THEY should go find a last minute holiday rental for their visiting Brazilian doctor friends. It is terrible how you have been treated, considering your situation. Stay and don't pay rent until your 20K peso deposit is covered. That should be enough time to find a new place in the new year.

 

[Juanito]

Lucha54 - I like your thinking... After all, she (landlady from hell) started it - not me...

 

[Davidglen77]

Residential rental contracts in the city of Buenos Aires do not have to be registered or have any tax paid on the income if it's under $8000 per month (total rents of all properties). Also, if you have a temporary rental contract for a furnished apartment the maximum length of those can be six months. If they renew that for you for another six months, then you are going to have to find out if that turns it into a 2 year lease or not. I would say probably yes because the purpose of a temporary rental is to have temporary tenants, not the same tenants being perpetually temporary. I would consult with an attorney, if you need one I have a very reliable one to recommend to you (does not speak english though) but he and his father have gotten me out of many problems over the years.

 

[EricLovesBA]

... I have a simple rule in life - I treat everybody right - and I honour my commitments and so on. But ONCE someone shows me they are going to go back on their deal, break their word, whatever - that is IT ...

I have a similar viewpoint to share which might be applicable here. I always see the best in people and treat them accordingly until I am convinced otherwise, and I am not quick to be convinced otherwise and will spread myself fairly thin giving someone the benefit of the doubt. However I am not naive, and I never turn a blind eye. I always entertain the idea that anyone in my life may have a hidden dark side. I let that doppleganger live there peacefully, not giving it attention or obsession, but when I see certain little pieces falling together, I pay a bit more attention and proceed with more caution. Scams and scam artists can be quite creative here - I've heard some interesting stories.

In your case, I see lots of little red flags that give me pause - the rich doctor story, the well-connected lawyer story. These could be concocted to make you let your guard down. The "innocent mistake" of double booking presented in good-cop-bad-cop style. The spare apartment that doesn't seem to be materializing (why wouldn't they either have the other guest stay in that room, or at least show you the alternative room?). Presenting the idea that you should leave some of your stuff there unattended for 3 weeks. The lease that has mysteriously disappeared.

In your shoes, at this point - no way in hell would I leave anything of value that apartment unattended for 3 weeks. I would change the locks immediately without saying anything until I decide my next step (keeping the original locks to change back when the dust settles), and I would at least put together a quick exit strategy as a plan B. It seems your landlord is either a well-connected lawyer or a polished conman - either way it is not the ideal situation to be staying in an apartment under their control if they are not going to deal with you fairly and honestly. But if you do plan to stay, I would do a little research on the landlord and plan a levelheaded confrontation which includes a well placed reference to their likely tax-evasion.