Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

explorerx4

Why would your brother have to remove anything? It's not his apartment.
Here, it's up to the landlord to make the apartment acceptable for the next tenant.
You could lose your security deposit if you damaged something.
Even if your brother had a security deposit from 35 years ago, how much could it be?

oldfarmer50

sandman_6472 said:

I plan to be that's why I haven't driven much at all. Don't want to have an accident so go out around 5:30 in the morning to pick up an egg biscuit at McDonalds and get a late dinner. Tomorrow we'll go to Publix and get me food I can cook here at home. Tried Panera Bread today but they screwed up the order so badly and it took 70 minutes to get here. Driver got lost and was in front of the wrong house insisting he was at our house. I was in the open garage and told him, no, you're on the wrong street. Finally, just got in the car in the rain and found him, naturally, in front of the wrong house on the next street over.Then he started to argue with me about him being at the right place and me not being at my house. Jerk. Called the manager and they comped the sandwich. Too add to the nonsense, they didn't read my order to well as they put it on the wrong bread with the wrong condiments. No more Panera Bread in our house!!
But yes, will be careful to not endanger anyone else on the roads or me for that matter. But today, felt better than yesterday and tomorrow should be a better day. By next Friday, should be almost back to normal but will go back to Hertz come the 11th of June, give myself another 16 days to be me again. Think that's fair enough.

The Sandman

(P.S. First time I've been in the hospital since 1981, first time I've ever been this sick. So not used to it all and being in the hospital was a bit humiliating. Twice they let me sit in bed with wet underwear for a good half hour and the next night, same thing but soiled my underwear. Kept hitting the button for help, but it never came. After awhile, nature just gave way and it all came out. as never so humiliated in my whole life, and if they had just come within a reasonable amount of time, none of this would've happened. The head nurse finally came in the next day and I had to say something which was good since it never happened again. They became more attentive after that and no more accidents. But a shame they had to put me through that stuff and me, am a very clean person all the time. Shower every day, always try to look good and smell good. This was a real eye opener and I finally saw how bad our health care in America really is. And that rehab place was even worse, had my family get me out within 36 hours as it was the worst place I've ever been in with a good deal of the staff totally uncaring...a total nightmare!!)

Sorry about your health troubles, nobody should receive care like that.

As to Paneras, I wonder how well they screen their drivers. Once we had 10 buses in front of the school with red lights flashing and Paneras delivery guy ran past all ten of us. In NY that's 50 points on your license and thousands in fines. No one ratted him out to the police but they did complain to Paneras.

abacomike

sandman_6472 said:

I plan to be that's why I haven't driven much at all. Don't want to have an accident so go out around 5:30 in the morning to pick up an egg biscuit at McDonalds and get a late dinner. Tomorrow we'll go to Publix and get me food I can cook here at home. Tried Panera Bread today but they screwed up the order so badly and it took 70 minutes to get here. Driver got lost and was in front of the wrong house insisting he was at our house. I was in the open garage and told him, no, you're on the wrong street. Finally, just got in the car in the rain and found him, naturally, in front of the wrong house on the next street over.Then he started to argue with me about him being at the right place and me not being at my house. Jerk. Called the manager and they comped the sandwich. Too add to the nonsense, they didn't read my order to well as they put it on the wrong bread with the wrong condiments. No more Panera Bread in our house!! But yes, will be careful to not endanger anyone else on the roads or me for that matter. But today, felt better than yesterday and tomorrow should be a better day. By next Friday, should be almost back to normal but will go back to Hertz come the 11th of June, give myself another 16 days to be me again. Think that's fair enough. The Sandman (P.S. First time I've been in the hospital since 1981, first time I've ever been this sick. So not used to it all and being in the hospital was a bit humiliating. Twice they let me sit in bed with wet underwear for a good half hour and the next night, same thing but soiled my underwear. Kept hitting the button for help, but it never came. After awhile, nature just gave way and it all came out. as never so humiliated in my whole life, and if they had just come within a reasonable amount of time, none of this would've happened. The head nurse finally came in the next day and I had to say something which was good since it never happened again. They became more attentive after that and no more accidents. But a shame they had to put me through that stuff and me, am a very clean person all the time. Shower every day, always try to look good and smell good. This was a real eye opener and I finally saw how bad our health care in America really is. And that rehab place was even worse, had my family get me out within 36 hours as it was the worst place I've ever been in with a good deal of the staff totally uncaring...a total nightmare!!)

Sandy, the care one receives in a hospital is dependent on two things - the nurse assigned to you and the hospital itself.  As for rehab, I had myself moved from a rehab in Boca Raton to one in Boynton Beach after my liver resection due to malignant tumors because of the terrible care I received.  The Boynton Beach rehab was stupendous but quite far from where I live.

Had my Dad at one before he died right near the local hospital which was terrible.  The reason I would end up in the local hospital is if I was in a life threatening situation and even then I would insist on transferring to Boca Regional in East Boca Raton because it’s the best hospital within 20 miles of where I live.

I suspect you were in the same local hospital that is very close to me and it’s awful!  Nursing staff is ill trained and insensitive to the needs of patients.

suydam

Agree with you 100%. We always checked rehab facilities very carefully when my Dad lived with us. The sad thing is, the patient has to depend on family members knowing and doing that, because often you’re in no shape to make decisions.

bwia

Sandman, sorry to hear that your hospital *personal* care was not five stars. But that seems to be the norm nowadays. Right now my sister-in-law is in the hospital waiting to be discharged. However, that will not happen until Tuesday since they are short-handed because of the holiday weekend. 

driver100

explorerx4 said:

Why would your brother have to remove anything? It's not his apartment.
Here, it's up to the landlord to make the apartment acceptable for the next tenant.
You could lose your security deposit if you damaged something.
Even if your brother had a security deposit from 35 years ago, how much could it be?

You have to return the apartment in the same condition you got it....less normal wear and tear.
He put in the carpet and wallpaper, so he has to remove it.
Yes, his security deposit is probably about $300, but, if the landlord does the work he could sue for the difference - I know that from watching Hot Bench.
I think your rules would be the same, if you install something of a permanent nature......you have to be the one to remove it.

Kind of like leasing a car. Has to go back - in original condition.

imidazol97

How long had he lived there? JJ is also fixated on after a few years, things need maintenace by the landlords.

Did your brother ask permission from the landlord about adding the two "value-added" items?

Is the lease silent as to the changes like such or does it state they must be removed?

I can see the carpet being left by the landlord and being touted as making the rental worth
more per month instead of having a bare floor in that area. The wallpaper may be more of a taste item. I know my son and his fiance's new apartment came with approval to paint especially and accent wall. I believe it was a value-added item in the eyes of the rental agents as long as it wasn't ugly.

imidazol97

bwia said:

Sandman, sorry to hear that your hospital *personal* care was not five stars. But that seems to be the norm nowadays. Right now my sister-in-law is in the hospital waiting to be discharged. However, that will not happen until Tuesday since they are short-handed because of the holiday weekend. 

My late father-in-law was so terrified of having to go into a nursing home after having put his father into the small town Ohio facilities and then his mother into better ones, that he married a much younger woman, almost the age of his oldest daughter, on the basis she wouldn't put him in one. The first nursing homes smelled and were really nasy to visit.

But the new wife turned out to be a black widow, in my opinion. Manipulated and sucked him dry dividing his kids and inserting her own. Evil. Didn't make him control diabetes and fed him beer and whatever foods he wanted.

Didn't get the PSA tests for many years because somehow there's a warning at the lab that you might have to pay for that if your insurance doesn't pay for it.

But he didn't have to go into a nursing home. Instead he lost most of his family.

ab348

imidazol97 said:

My late father-in-law was so terrified of having to go into a nursing home after having put his father into the small town Ohio facilities and then his mother into better ones, that he married a much younger woman, almost the age of his oldest daughter, on the basis she wouldn't put him in one. The first nursing homes smelled and were really nasy to visit.

But the new wife turned out to be a black widow, in my opinion. Manipulated and sucked him dry dividing his kids and inserting her own. Evil.

Every time I start to think I should seek out a compatible lady to assist me in my declining years I have a nightmare similar to that.

houdini1

dino001 said:

houdini1 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Rising fuel prices in particular sucks immense quantities of money out of the economy. Not only do you pay more for gas, you'll pay more for bread and milk due to transport costs rising.

Oil companies have always played us on gas prices. Gas prices go up when there is even a hit of oil prices rising, but move down at a glacial pace when oil prices go down. They have perfected their excuses for this over many years of gouging people. Oh, it is the seasonal formula changing, oh, a refinery in Houston had to shut down, oh, our transportation costs have gone up, oh, it's OPEC's fault, on, and on, and on.

This may be true, but did you care when countless oil companies started defaulting on their loans and went into bankruptcies in 2016-17? Or during late 90s, when oil was so low that it forced consolidation for them just to survive? Probably not and you shouldn't - it was their problem, along with banks and shareholders. Why should they care what you (or I) think now? They raise the gas price and in general oil price because they can. They can provide you with a basic explanation what is contributing to that increase at this moment, but if you don't want to listen, then the answer is simple - "because we said so".

I'm far from excusing these guys, but people in their mass also have very selective memories. Sales of trucks and SUVs go to the roof, people act like low gas prices are to stay "forever" and then everybody starts screaming murder when they go up 50 cents, or a dollar on increased demand and political tensions.

Oil companies are a very convenient boogie man. Nobody likes them, for a good reason, I may say. In court trials they call it an "unsympathetic defendant". Jury itches to convict such a person as we all "know" he/she is "obviously" guilty of "something", so the actual charges on the docket don't really matter.

I don't recall Exon or any of the big companies that have the ability to jigger the price of oil going out of business in 2016-17. Mostly just some little guys who the big guys were glad to see go.

jmonroe

@sandman_6472, not good to hear about the care you got at the hospital and rehab place but as others have said, that is what goes on today. Mrs. j's sole surviving aunt (96) had to be put in a long term place and it cost a fortune but the care was not good even at that price. They dropped her twice and once it caused a bad infection on her leg. She died not long ago but not from the infection although the care she got didn't help either, IMO. Mrs. j's sister is married to an attorney and he looked into it and said it would be a waste of time going after them because at her age something is going to happen and it's hard to prove that stuff. Especially since the infection was fully healed for months before she died.

As for Panera, I don't get the infatuation that people have with that place. I don't go there at all anymore but Mrs. j goes there sometimes with some of her water aerobics friends since it is in the same large shopping plaza as LA Fitness. Over priced for what you get but it seems to be the place to be seen in.

It sounds like you are on your way to recovery which is the good part.

Good luck.

jmonroe

driver100

imidazol97 said:

How long had he lived there? JJ is also fixated on after a few years, things need maintenace by the landlords.

Did your brother ask permission from the landlord about adding the two "value-added" items?

Is the lease silent as to the changes like such or does it state they must be removed?

I can see the carpet being left by the landlord and being touted as making the rental worth
more per month instead of having a bare floor in that area. The wallpaper may be more of a taste item. I know my son and his fiance's new apartment came with approval to paint especially and accent wall. I believe it was a value-added item in the eyes of the rental agents as long as it wasn't ugly.

He has been there for 35 years! (Everyone should be forced to move after 10, hey that is how long we are here).
He signed a lease saying you can add things, but they have to be removed at the end of the lease. That is standard. He had some good years being a stock broker when you needed one to buy stocks...he spent money then and didn't think of the consequences.

The landlord could leave the carpet but dark brown 35 year old carpet isn't everyone's thing. If he sublet he could make the new people take it....and they would deal with it. But, that could have some problems too. The wallpaper is very dated...as you can imagine 35 year old wallpaper would be.

Sorry about your Dads second wife. That type of thing happens often. Hard to say what kind of person the new mate really is....and often they will do what they have to for themselves.

ab348

explorerx4 said:

Over the weekend, I read an article about how Zillow got sued for inaccurate home values ( Zillow Estimates).
Zillow did not lose.
Decided to put in my address in a search engine and see the results.
They are comically sad. Not one has the correct square footage and a couple of them I checked show a house about a quarter of a mile away.
Driver100 would use the info as gospel.

Well, Zillow's data is probably only as good as the sources they get/buy it from since I cannot see how they would generate that themselves. If they are getting it from govt property tax rolls, good luck with that. My experience dealing with some of those local property assessment operations was not confidence-inspiring.

sda

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

How long had he lived there? JJ is also fixated on after a few years, things need maintenace by the landlords.

Did your brother ask permission from the landlord about adding the two "value-added" items?

Is the lease silent as to the changes like such or does it state they must be removed?

I can see the carpet being left by the landlord and being touted as making the rental worth
more per month instead of having a bare floor in that area. The wallpaper may be more of a taste item. I know my son and his fiance's new apartment came with approval to paint especially and accent wall. I believe it was a value-added item in the eyes of the rental agents as long as it wasn't ugly.

He has been there for 35 years! (Everyone should be forced to move after 10, hey that is how long we are here).
He signed a lease saying you can add things, but they have to be removed at the end of the lease. That is standard. He had some good years being a stock broker when you needed one to buy stocks...he spent money then and didn't think of the consequences.

The landlord could leave the carpet but dark brown 35 year old carpet isn't everyone's thing. If he sublet he could make the new people take it....and they would deal with it. But, that could have some problems too. The wallpaper is very dated...as you can imagine 35 year old wallpaper would be.

Sorry about your Dads second wife. That type of thing happens often. Hard to say what kind of person the new mate really is....and often they will do what they have to for themselves.

After 35 years you would think the landlord would appreciate a reliable paying tenant and forgive removing carpet and wall paper. I imagine the apt needs a refresh anyway.

Mr_Shiftright

So adding up that 35 years of rent isn't enough money for the landlord to refresh the entire place? GEESH!

thebean

imidazol97 said:

bwia said:

Sandman, sorry to hear that your hospital *personal* care was not five stars. But that seems to be the norm nowadays. Right now my sister-in-law is in the hospital waiting to be discharged. However, that will not happen until Tuesday since they are short-handed because of the holiday weekend. 

My late father-in-law was so terrified of having to go into a nursing home after having put his father into the small town Ohio facilities and then his mother into better ones, that he married a much younger woman, almost the age of his oldest daughter, on the basis she wouldn't put him in one. The first nursing homes smelled and were really nasy to visit.

But the new wife turned out to be a black widow, in my opinion. Manipulated and sucked him dry dividing his kids and inserting her own. Evil. Didn't make him control diabetes and fed him beer and whatever foods he wanted.

Didn't get the PSA tests for many years because somehow there's a warning at the lab that you might have to pay for that if your insurance doesn't pay for it.

But he didn't have to go into a nursing home. Instead he lost most of his family.

To quote Don Henley and the late Glenn Frey "I guess every form of refuge has it's price". Sad that your father-in-law made that decision.

thebean

We've been in our house for 33 years, but we are not collectors or hoarders. About once every two years, we go through the house culling stuff we haven't used in that time. Then call Salvation Army or the local outreach org to come get the stuff they can still be used. We are always talking about going to a condo or townhouse and this keeps us at least a little bit prepared for that major downsizing.

fintail

The other side of that is my mom - in the same house for 26 years, and the house before that was larger. I wouldn't call her a hoarder in terms of cleanliness, but a collector, oh yeah. She had a booth in an antique mall back in the 90s, which at least kept the volume at a steady level, but ebay killed off those malls around here by the turn of the century, and she still goes to sales now and then - so there's more stuff. She's only ~70, so hopefully there's a lot more time left for my sister and I to try "the talk" with her again and see about culling the hoard a bit. Neither of us collect anything in the house, and much of it we don't want. There's also a declining market for many household collectibles popular in the 80s and 90s (art pottery, depression glass, etc), but she doesn't care about price, it's a security blanket and sense of accomplishment to have collections, I think.

Mr_Shiftright

"The difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say no to almost everything. " -- Warren Buffett.

ab348

fintail said:

The other side of that is my mom - in the same house for 26 years, and the house before that was larger. I wouldn't call her a hoarder in terms of cleanliness, but a collector, oh yeah. She had a booth in an antique mall back in the 90s, which at least kept the volume at a steady level, but ebay killed off those malls around here by the turn of the century, and she still goes to sales now and then - so there's more stuff. She's only ~70, so hopefully there's a lot more time left for my sister and I to try "the talk" with her again and see about culling the hoard a bit. Neither of us collect anything in the house, and much of it we don't want. There's also a declining market for many household collectibles popular in the 80s and 90s (art pottery, depression glass, etc), but she doesn't care about price, it's a security blanket and sense of accomplishment to have collections, I think.

In this vein, two articles that popped up today on how people actually use their houses, and on "stuff""

I found the heat map in this one fascinating:

https://www.getrichslowly.org/american-home/


On "stuff" and how to control it:

https://www.getrichslowly.org/further-adventures-in-my-war-on-stuff/

An interesting video in this one re. clutter:

https://www.getrichslowly.org/cluttered-lives/

fintail

Interesting material, I should send it to my mom. I have under 600 sq ft, so I am spared those issues - if it doesn't fit, I don't bring it in. I rent a garage for the fintail, but there's no way in heck I'd rent a storage unit to keep junk (as some do, it is an industry). I have a bit of stuff as I collect toy cars and some curiosities, but square footage limits me, and I am fine with that. One thing that unnerves me is completely blank walls - my dad had a side business framing shop when I was a little kid, and my parents always had a lot of pictures on the walls - I have to have something in blank space. But I only have a handful, not the ~150 pictures of various sizes my mom has on the walls of a ~1500 sq ft house.

Funny thing, my grandma is the opposite of my mom - she has one shelving unit with some knicknacks, and that's it - no clutter, no frilliness, which goes with her relatively modern style early 60s style house. My siblings also shun clutter, and don't really collect anything. I think that mindset is more prevalent among the under 40 set than the over 60 set.

ab348 said:

In this vein, two articles that popped up today on how people actually use their houses, and on "stuff""

I found the heat map in this one fascinating:

https://www.getrichslowly.org/american-home/


On "stuff" and how to control it:

https://www.getrichslowly.org/further-adventures-in-my-war-on-stuff/

An interesting video in this one re. clutter:

https://www.getrichslowly.org/cluttered-lives/

driver100

sda said:

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

How long had he lived there? JJ is also fixated on after a few years, things need maintenace by the landlords.

Did your brother ask permission from the landlord about adding the two "value-added" items?

Is the lease silent as to the changes like such or does it state they must be removed?

I can see the carpet being left by the landlord and being touted as making the rental worth
more per month instead of having a bare floor in that area. The wallpaper may be more of a taste item. I know my son and his fiance's new apartment came with approval to paint especially and accent wall. I believe it was a value-added item in the eyes of the rental agents as long as it wasn't ugly.

He has been there for 35 years! (Everyone should be forced to move after 10, hey that is how long we are here).
He signed a lease saying you can add things, but they have to be removed at the end of the lease. That is standard. He had some good years being a stock broker when you needed one to buy stocks...he spent money then and didn't think of the consequences.

The landlord could leave the carpet but dark brown 35 year old carpet isn't everyone's thing. If he sublet he could make the new people take it....and they would deal with it. But, that could have some problems too. The wallpaper is very dated...as you can imagine 35 year old wallpaper would be.

Sorry about your Dads second wife. That type of thing happens often. Hard to say what kind of person the new mate really is....and often they will do what they have to for themselves.

After 35 years you would think the landlord would appreciate a reliable paying tenant and forgive removing carpet and wall paper. I imagine the apt needs a refresh anyway.

I agree but business is business, and the landlord has the right. And, there is another factor....rent controls have kept his rent at an artificially low rate. He pays $940 for a 2 BR, 2BTHRM apartment downstairs, once he moves out they can probably get at least $1800 for that apartment. He has been a good tenant, but, I am sure they are glad to see him go.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

So adding up that 35 years of rent isn't enough money for the landlord to refresh the entire place? GEESH!

Normally, carpeting can cost $1 a sq ft to remove. 850 sq ft, and then wallpaper could be another $300 to $400.
No matter how good a tenant he was, a business isn't going to let that go. I am a good hearted person, but, I think I would go by the signed agreement too.......it is reasonable.

explorerx4

I would have said the wallpaper and carpeting were already there, that why he rented it in the first place.
It's probably not the same landlord as 35 years ago.

dino001

houdini1 said:

I don't recall Exon or any of the big companies that have the ability to jigger the price of oil going out of business in 2016-17. Mostly just some little guys who the big guys were glad to see go.

Depends what you call “little guys”. Linn Energy went from tens of billions of dollars in market cap to banruptcy. The company did not go out if business, but its shareholders were wiped out and bond holders had to take cents on a dollar and new equity. Many others went from multibillion dollars of market cap and debt to wipeouts, some bankrupted, others languishing shadows of their former glory (Chesapeake, all ocean drillers). Surely not Exxon, or Chevron, but plenty of others. Many people lost their jobs in the recent bust, but that’s the nature of this business. I don’t have ties to this business, except some investment losses - not huge, but enough to be painful and learn more about it, though not enough to make me partial, as I own many more oil users who would benefit from lower oil price. I just want people to acknowledge that this business is not much more complicated and its risks are tremendous.

driver100

explorerx4 said:

I would have said the wallpaper and carpeting were already there, that why he rented it in the first place.
It's probably not the same landlord as 35 years ago.

It is the same landlord and my brother knows the family. It isn't the parents anymore, but it is their kids. They know it wasn't there when he rented it.

Tell me this though, why would you try to escape your responsibility? He wanted to put in carpets and wallpaper, the consequence is you have to leave the property as you got it.....why should the landlord get stuck doing it?

oldfarmer50

Oh oh, Chrysler is recalling 5 million cars for cruise control defect that could cause run aways? Did I hear that right? 5 million?

driver100

Dino, I acknowledge oil can be a tough business. I still think they manipulate the price though, and they probably justify it by saying they take huge risks to be in the oil business. A barrel of oil is about half what it was at the high point, yet our price for gas is almost the same as it was at the peak.

Then there is summer grade, cleaning equipment, maintenance, too little production, problems in Russia...and many other excuses for raising the price. I don't trust them.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

Oh oh, Chrysler is recalling 5 million cars for cruise control defect that could cause run aways? Did I hear that right? 5 million?

Yup.

They say you can get control if you put the car into PARK. How do you do that when you are going 80 mph.

I opened my drivers door as I approached the newspaper in the driveway...I wanted to reach down and get my newspaper. Unfortunately, when the door was open about 2 inches the car came to a sudden halt.....my wife wasn't too happy. I have done this maneuver in the past with no incident...kind of lean down and get the paper as I drive by it.

oldfarmer50

dino001 said:

houdini1 said:

I don't recall Exon or any of the big companies that have the ability to jigger the price of oil going out of business in 2016-17. Mostly just some little guys who the big guys were glad to see go.

Depends what you call “little guys”. Linn Energy went from tens of billions of dollars in market cap to banruptcy. The company did not go out if business, but its shareholders were wiped out and bond holders had to take cents on a dollar and new equity. Many others went from multibillion dollars of market cap and debt to wipeouts, some bankrupted, others languishing shadows of their former glory (Chesapeake, all ocean drillers). Surely not Exxon, or Chevron, but plenty of others. Many people lost their jobs in the recent bust, but that’s the nature of this business. I don’t have ties to this business, except some investment losses - not huge, but enough to be painful and learn more about it, though not enough to make me partial, as I own many more oil users who would benefit from lower oil price. I just want people to acknowledge that this business is not much more complicated and its risks are tremendous.

Funny how most people get angry if a company has a windfall due to favorable market conditions but if things change and they go bankrupt well, that's all on them.

I remember a customer was angry at the price my friend was charging for peaches. "The trees do all the work and you just make the money" he said.

He never knew how lucky he was to walk away under his own power. Risk is never considered when judging what price is "fair".

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

dino001 said:

houdini1 said:

I don't recall Exon or any of the big companies that have the ability to jigger the price of oil going out of business in 2016-17. Mostly just some little guys who the big guys were glad to see go.

Depends what you call “little guys”. Linn Energy went from tens of billions of dollars in market cap to banruptcy. The company did not go out if business, but its shareholders were wiped out and bond holders had to take cents on a dollar and new equity. Many others went from multibillion dollars of market cap and debt to wipeouts, some bankrupted, others languishing shadows of their former glory (Chesapeake, all ocean drillers). Surely not Exxon, or Chevron, but plenty of others. Many people lost their jobs in the recent bust, but that’s the nature of this business. I don’t have ties to this business, except some investment losses - not huge, but enough to be painful and learn more about it, though not enough to make me partial, as I own many more oil users who would benefit from lower oil price. I just want people to acknowledge that this business is not much more complicated and its risks are tremendous.

Funny how most people get angry if a company has a windfall due to favorable market conditions but if things change and they go bankrupt well, that's all on them.

I remember a customer was angry at the price my friend was charging for peaches. "The trees do all the work and you just make the money" he said.

He never knew how lucky he was to walk away under his own power. Risk is never considered when judging what price is "fair".

People always think that way. Look at my brothers landlord, people are ready to stiff him because he is a landlord. I am sure he took risks when he bought the building and he did well as property values went up. They could also have gone down at the wrong time and he could get burned......business is always risky.

If you take the risk and you profit you earned it, people shouldn't resent making a profit. But, they do resent it when the market is manipulated, and it seems commodities lend themselves to manipulation.

ab348

If your brother's landlord is such a stickler as you describe then be prepared for more work and expense once the carpet is up. Wall to wall has a tack strip around the perimeter than is miserably tough to remove without doing more damage. Also the carpet underpad is usually attached to the hard floor with a million staples that all need to be removed. In many cases the quarter-round baseboard molding is also eliminated when carpet is installed and so will need to be replaced. And then of course there is the condition of whatever the original flooring underneath may be after all those years - would not be surprised if that landlord expects it to be pretty much the same as it was all those years ago.

qbrozen

driver100 said:

Oh oh, Chrysler is recalling 5 million cars for cruise control defect that could cause run aways? Did I hear that right? 5 million?

Yup. They say you can get control if you put the car into PARK. How do you do that when you are going 80 mph. I opened my drivers door as I approached the newspaper in the driveway...I wanted to reach down and get my newspaper. Unfortunately, when the door was open about 2 inches the car came to a sudden halt.....my wife wasn't too happy. I have done this maneuver in the past with no incident...kind of lean down and get the paper as I drive by it.

Put it in park or...gasp!...step on the brake pedal. Crazy way to stop, I know, but desperate times...

driver100

ab348 said:

If your brother's landlord is such a stickler as you describe then be prepared for more work and expense once the carpet is up. Wall to wall has a tack strip around the perimeter than is miserably tough to remove without doing more damage. Also the carpet underpad is usually attached to the hard floor with a million staples that all need to be removed. In many cases the quarter-round baseboard molding is also eliminated when carpet is installed and so will need to be replaced. And then of course there is the condition of whatever the original flooring underneath may be after all those years - would not be surprised if that landlord expects it to be pretty much the same as it was all those years ago.

It is tacked around edges....about as easy as possible to remove. Underpad is just lying underneath....the part we looked at isn't stuck but Demo Guy says even if it is stuck he can scrape it off pretty easily.

Floor underneath is vinyl squares...pretty tough. If I recall, quarter round is still there in place. I don't think they expect apartment back in mint condition....35 years of regular use. They will know they have to repaint and refresh.

btw....on the judge shows, I see it is a good idea to take pictures when you move out - if they are favorable to you. Otherwise a law case becomes a he said/they said. I think we can leave it in pretty good shape. If they do ask for more or try to sue... don't think a judge would look on a frivolous lawsuit of an 80 year old senior who paid his rent on time for 35 years as being too easy to win.

jmonroe

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

If your brother's landlord is such a stickler as you describe then be prepared for more work and expense once the carpet is up. Wall to wall has a tack strip around the perimeter than is miserably tough to remove without doing more damage. Also the carpet underpad is usually attached to the hard floor with a million staples that all need to be removed. In many cases the quarter-round baseboard molding is also eliminated when carpet is installed and so will need to be replaced. And then of course there is the condition of whatever the original flooring underneath may be after all those years - would not be surprised if that landlord expects it to be pretty much the same as it was all those years ago.

It is tacked around edges....about as easy as possible to remove. Underpad is just lying underneath....the part we looked at isn't stuck but Demo Guy says even if it is stuck he can scrape it off pretty easily.

Floor underneath is vinyl squares...pretty tough. If I recall, quarter round is still there in place. I don't think they expect apartment back in mint condition....35 years of regular use. They will know they have to repaint and refresh.

btw....on the judge shows, I see it is a good idea to take pictures when you move out - if they are favorable to you. Otherwise a law case becomes a he said/they said. I think we can leave it in pretty good shape. If they do ask for more or try to sue... don't think a judge would look on a frivolous lawsuit of an 80 year old senior who paid his rent on time for 35 years as being too easy to win.

From what you have said, it doesn't sound like your brother will have a problem but don't think for a minute that just because he is 80 and has paid his rent on time for 35 years that the law will be lenient because of that. I know it doesn't work that way here in the US and I doubt the law is different in Canada when it comes to these matters.

As they say, 'the law is the law'.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Oh oh, Chrysler is recalling 5 million cars for cruise control defect that could cause run aways? Did I hear that right? 5 million?

Yup.

They say you can get control if you put the car into PARK. How do you do that when you are going 80 mph.

I opened my drivers door as I approached the newspaper in the driveway...I wanted to reach down and get my newspaper. Unfortunately, when the door was open about 2 inches the car came to a sudden halt.....my wife wasn't too happy. I have done this maneuver in the past with no incident...kind of lean down and get the paper as I drive by it.

Did the car do that itself or did you hit the brake as you leaned? I hope your car was smart enough to see the danger in that maneuver.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Oh oh, Chrysler is recalling 5 million cars for cruise control defect that could cause run aways? Did I hear that right? 5 million?

Yup.

They say you can get control if you put the car into PARK. How do you do that when you are going 80 mph.

I opened my drivers door as I approached the newspaper in the driveway...I wanted to reach down and get my newspaper. Unfortunately, when the door was open about 2 inches the car came to a sudden halt.....my wife wasn't too happy. I have done this maneuver in the past with no incident...kind of lean down and get the paper as I drive by it.

Put it in park or...gasp!...step on the brake pedal. Crazy way to stop, I know, but desperate times...

What about putting it in neutral? Or do modern transmissions know enough to not destroy themselves?

graphicguy

We’ve heard these excuses for so long from oil ompanies....in the ‘70s it was “we’re running out of oil” (nothing was further from the truth)..”it’s OPEC’s fault”-the U.S. has enough oil to cover our own useage, plus more to export.....”there’s war in, well pick a country”....still could never understand what that has to do with gas prices in the U.S.

I could go on and on. They cried when gas dropped to $2/gal, but pleaded they could do nothing about the $5/gal price several years ago.

Don’t trust them, or the financial markets who support them. Prices don’t affect me one iota. But their pricing actions affect those who are already on the fringe of counting pennies to make it until the next paycheck. Those folks teeter on whether the need social services on any given day or week. Oil company pricing pratices push them right over the edge when they do these sorts of things.

Funny thing is, when Big Oil was whining at prices plummeting, I don’t recall any of them losing money. They shrug indifference when they push prices higher.

Unfortunately they are a commodity that nearly every adult uses in one form or another. So there’s no way to punish this sort of behavior by switching brands or buying an alternative.

Mr_Shiftright

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

So adding up that 35 years of rent isn't enough money for the landlord to refresh the entire place? GEESH!

Normally, carpeting can cost $1 a sq ft to remove. 850 sq ft, and then wallpaper could be another $300 to $400.
No matter how good a tenant he was, a business isn't going to let that go. I am a good hearted person, but, I think I would go by the signed agreement too.......it is reasonable.

Reasonable if you were a 13th century feudal landlord, perhaps. Let's say the old guy paid, averaged out, a mere $500 a month to live there, over 35 years. That's $210,000 dollars.

So, subtracting the $1200 expense to remove the carpet and wallpaper, I'd say that's still a tidy profit margin.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Oh oh, Chrysler is recalling 5 million cars for cruise control defect that could cause run aways? Did I hear that right? 5 million?

Yup.

They say you can get control if you put the car into PARK. How do you do that when you are going 80 mph.

I opened my drivers door as I approached the newspaper in the driveway...I wanted to reach down and get my newspaper. Unfortunately, when the door was open about 2 inches the car came to a sudden halt.....my wife wasn't too happy. I have done this maneuver in the past with no incident...kind of lean down and get the paper as I drive by it.

Did the car do that itself or did you hit the brake as you leaned? I hope your car was smart enough to see the danger in that maneuver.

The car did it all on it's own. I have done this in other cars, never had a problem. I guess it makes sense in some ways, but, it stops as suddenly as possible....in some ways I think it is more dangerous than if it let me lean out the door to pick up my newspaper.

I don't do that too often, but, next time I will completely stop and put the car in Park before leaning out....hard to be in just the right place to pick up a newspaper though. I guess it makes good practice if you are going to play polo one day.

ab348

BREAKING: "Ontario senior falls out of car trying to retrieve newspaper; runs over himself"

driver100

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

If your brother's landlord is such a stickler as you describe then be prepared for more work and expense once the carpet is up. Wall to wall has a tack strip around the perimeter than is miserably tough to remove without doing more damage. Also the carpet underpad is usually attached to the hard floor with a million staples that all need to be removed. In many cases the quarter-round baseboard molding is also eliminated when carpet is installed and so will need to be replaced. And then of course there is the condition of whatever the original flooring underneath may be after all those years - would not be surprised if that landlord expects it to be pretty much the same as it was all those years ago.

It is tacked around edges....about as easy as possible to remove. Underpad is just lying underneath....the part we looked at isn't stuck but Demo Guy says even if it is stuck he can scrape it off pretty easily.

Floor underneath is vinyl squares...pretty tough. If I recall, quarter round is still there in place. I don't think they expect apartment back in mint condition....35 years of regular use. They will know they have to repaint and refresh.

btw....on the judge shows, I see it is a good idea to take pictures when you move out - if they are favorable to you. Otherwise a law case becomes a he said/they said. I think we can leave it in pretty good shape. If they do ask for more or try to sue... don't think a judge would look on a frivolous lawsuit of an 80 year old senior who paid his rent on time for 35 years as being too easy to win.

From what you have said, it doesn't sound like your brother will have a problem but don't think for a minute that just because he is 80 and has paid his rent on time for 35 years that the law will be lenient because of that. I know it doesn't work that way here in the US and I doubt the law is different in Canada when it comes to these matters.

As they say, 'the law is the law'.

jmonroe

I was hoping you would weigh in with an opinion since you have probably done this kind of work with your long sideline career of helping family with building/handyman projects.

I think it will be OK. I debated about removing picture hangar hooks....about 20, and pollyfilling the holes. First handyman who never got back said he would do that, the Demo Guy said he does nothing about fixing...only demolishes. Since they have to paint for new tenants I will leave that for them.

I think if the apartment is left in good shape, normal wear and tear, and we have photos, if it got to court, the Judge would get what is happening. The 80 year old senior part is just icing on the cake.....if he is as good as the Hot Bench judges they would see through the nasty landlord.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

So adding up that 35 years of rent isn't enough money for the landlord to refresh the entire place? GEESH!

Normally, carpeting can cost $1 a sq ft to remove. 850 sq ft, and then wallpaper could be another $300 to $400.
No matter how good a tenant he was, a business isn't going to let that go. I am a good hearted person, but, I think I would go by the signed agreement too.......it is reasonable.

Reasonable if you were a 13th century feudal landlord, perhaps. Let's say the old guy paid, averaged out, a mere $500 a month to live there, over 35 years. That's $210,000 dollars.

So, subtracting the $1200 expense to remove the carpet and wallpaper, I'd say that's still a tidy profit margin.

Mr S.....you know better. $210000 is not their profit. Even worse, the landlord has to make a profit with rent controls.....like I say, his $930 a month apartment could fetch $1800 today. Now, if you said, they can rent it out and get $900 a month more once he leaves, then I agree - take the $1200 out of that and throw a big party, they should be glad he is finally going.

driver100

ab348 said:

BREAKING: "Ontario senior falls out of car trying to retrieve newspaper; runs over himself"

Well, it's another reason I don't want an SUV - I can't pick up my newspapers from an SUV.
Disadvantage - SUV.

driver100

btw....maybe all cars do this now.....brakes come on full force when door is opened.
OK guys, I want everyone to try it and report in....we will do a roll call after see who is missing.

driver100

GG, I can only add, I still don't understand when there is a shortage....gas prices rise. There still seems to be enough to go around, so what does raising prices do? A few people decide not to take a trip to the mall this week?

Mr_Shiftright

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

So adding up that 35 years of rent isn't enough money for the landlord to refresh the entire place? GEESH!

Normally, carpeting can cost $1 a sq ft to remove. 850 sq ft, and then wallpaper could be another $300 to $400.
No matter how good a tenant he was, a business isn't going to let that go. I am a good hearted person, but, I think I would go by the signed agreement too.......it is reasonable.

Reasonable if you were a 13th century feudal landlord, perhaps. Let's say the old guy paid, averaged out, a mere $500 a month to live there, over 35 years. That's $210,000 dollars.

So, subtracting the $1200 expense to remove the carpet and wallpaper, I'd say that's still a tidy profit margin.

Mr S.....you know better. $210000 is not their profit. Even worse, the landlord has to make a profit with rent controls.....like I say, his $930 a month apartment could fetch $1800 today. Now, if you said, they can rent it out and get $900 a month more once he leaves, then I agree - take the $1200 out of that and throw a big party, they should be glad he is finally going.

If it were me, I wouldn't do a damn thing for the landlord--just move out. Let him sue me in the nursing home. I'll have the local TV station there.

explorerx4

@driver100,
Your brother is getting taken advantage of by the landlord.
Too bad he doesn't have someone who will stick up for him.
Murderers have paid their debt in a quarter of the time your brother has lived there.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

So adding up that 35 years of rent isn't enough money for the landlord to refresh the entire place? GEESH!

Normally, carpeting can cost $1 a sq ft to remove. 850 sq ft, and then wallpaper could be another $300 to $400.
No matter how good a tenant he was, a business isn't going to let that go. I am a good hearted person, but, I think I would go by the signed agreement too.......it is reasonable.

Reasonable if you were a 13th century feudal landlord, perhaps. Let's say the old guy paid, averaged out, a mere $500 a month to live there, over 35 years. That's $210,000 dollars.

So, subtracting the $1200 expense to remove the carpet and wallpaper, I'd say that's still a tidy profit margin.

Mr S.....you know better. $210000 is not their profit. Even worse, the landlord has to make a profit with rent controls.....like I say, his $930 a month apartment could fetch $1800 today. Now, if you said, they can rent it out and get $900 a month more once he leaves, then I agree - take the $1200 out of that and throw a big party, they should be glad he is finally going.

If it were me, I wouldn't do a damn thing for the landlord--just move out. Let him sue me in the nursing home. I'll have the local TV station there.

And the crew from 60 Minutes!

driver100

explorerx4 said:

@driver100,
Your brother is getting taken advantage of by the landlord.
Too bad he doesn't have someone who will stick up for him.
Murderers have paid their debt in a quarter of the time your brother has lived there.

Good point!
I have seen the way people leave their rental homes....some are a mess.
I was friends with a super in one building and he wanted to show me what he had to deal with....grease about an inch thick on fairly new stove, garbage left everywhere on the floor.
Our family was taught to respect peoples property, and to be responsible for an agreement.
You may stick up for him, but you aren't helping him get rid of 35 years worth of stuff (for lack of a better word). Not to mention a one hour round trip to the city core every time I go there....which will be 5 times this week. And, coordinate the movers, the junk guys, and the demolition crew.
Are you offering your services?