My landlord developed schizophrenia

[Kazoey]

My landlord has developed paranoid schizophrenia. At least I think so, my best buddy the head psych nurse for the county and claims that is what it is.

I have rented from him for 5 years. Was all gravy the first 4 and has taken a turn in the past year. He used to own the house with his son and lives in another house he owns in the neighborhood. His son vanished a year ago and cut off all ties with him.

Every few months we would take a drive together to play golf and hit the casino. He started talking crazy of recent about crippling depression, medication costs and the people who where after him and he does not know why. They ran him off the road the other night with a big rig, they have been stealing his food from his fridge (he padlocked it) and they have cameras everywhere. He claims it has been two years since he shit or showered with the lights on.

None of this really effected me until last month. This far into our tenure here we have been month to month for the last three years and are buying a house next month and plan on staying here until June. At that point he is going to sell. We considered buying but it is just too far from where we both work now.

Anyhow, he has been on this kick lately where everyone is after him and taking advantage of him. He sent me a chaotic text one night last month out of the blue that he was jacking my rent up $500/mo for the last three months we are here. Assuming it was an episode I decided to text his son and tell him what was going on. His son replied that he was having some mental issues and that he is likely busto and freaking out. He said the camera stuff sounded like off meds mentallity. He didnt help me out at all after that.

Things went smooth since then as I didnt hear from landlord until this past tuesday when he and his realtor came over on my day off to look at the house to get it ready to list. He was in a great mood. I took the kids to the park to give them time to talk. When he left he told me thank you for helping me out with getting the house sold, forget about the jacked up rent, house is immaculate and you guys have been great renters.

Wednesday morning at 5am I received a text that said "I am not reducing the rent increase, you will pay the increase until you leave. I found the camera in my bathroom and that is completely fucking disgusting!!!"...I replied "the what?!?" and sent the chat log to his son who replied "geez. Always worried about cameras that arent ever there".

Landlord never replied to my text since.

I get a bit worried that I am now "they" in his head. I have a 2 and 8 year old son and he obv has keys/access to the house. Perhaps the worst part given his mental state is that he carries a glock with him and I am not armed. It isnt unusual here for everyone to carry being AZ.

My theory is that he came out of his episode and is not sure how to reply to the message. We are in the process of buying a house and I just figure I will ignore it for now unless it progresses and follow through with my end of the deal.

What would you do?

[nunbeater]

fuuuuuuuuuuuuuck

[Kazoey]

fuuuuuuuuuuuuuck

No shit right? They dont prepare you for this in adulting 101. You pay and follow proto and then this happens.

My wife obv a little freaked out. I am the one who has spent time with him and not tooooooo worried about it
I was more concerned with the jacking up of rent for no reason rather than the fact he thinks I installed a camera in his bathroom to watch him shit

[Kazoey]

After the service (no action) he retired from IBM where he installed and serviced servers for the millitary and various companies down around the border.

This is where he claims they first started to come after him. He saw some stuff he shouldnt have seen and they have been following him since.

[Kazoey]

A priest held a gun to his head 20 years ago and said they had both done some things they had regretted. That they were headed to hell. He had no idea what the priest was talking about. Priest held a paper to his head with the gun.
They were going on an adventure. He lost his wife and his family over this.

This was our convo after golfing on the way to the casino in the desert the last time I went with him. I debated asking him to stop so I could pee and run away into the corn fields. It was my first foray into this bullshit.

[big dick]

ask OSA he will tell you how to get out of not only the extra 500 but the entire months rent.




fuuuuuuuuuuckkkkk

[GrenadaRoger]

move out now...put your stuff in storage and stay in a hotel with long-term stay rates or move in with a relative / friend until you buy/move into your house. The psycho is liable to do something violent, don't take that risk. 3 months is a long time to stay in a potentially dangerous situation.

If you know who his head shrinker is, i would call/see them to make them aware of what you have experienced. It builds your defense against potential lawsuit for terminating the rent agreement.

generally, according to the Uniform Commercial Code of each state, a month-to-month rental agreement requires 30 days advance notice in writing to increase rent or to terminate by either party. Rent can not be increased for past months. So legally, his threats to increase/back charge rent are probably not enforceable. Just google you state's UCC, its online undoubtedly.

because you fear for your safety, I would think you have a justifiable reason to break the rental agreement immediately and without 30 notice.

[Dan Druff]

Roger's advice is good. Save all texts you get, just in case you need it in court later.

If moving out isn't an option, or if you can't do it fast enough, here's the best way to calm him down.

A lot of these paranoid people do have a feeling of isolation and that nobody understands them. Of course, nobody understands them because they're cuckoo, but they don't recognize that. To them, their fears and actions are sane, and it's the world around them which is unfairly doubting their claims.

You can sometimes diffuse the hostility and paranoia about you by telling them that you're their friend and on their side.

So next time you're accused of installing cameras to spy on him, respond with something like, "You're my friend, I would never do something like that to you."

If he tries to ask for the increased rent again, say/text something like, "I don't know why you would do that to me. You told me before that this wouldn't happen, and I thought we were watching out for one another."

If they feel they have a sympathetic ear in you, and that you're on their side, they will often calm down and ease away from the fears and accusations.

Most importantly, by all means do not let this guy have access to your new address. If he asks for a forwarding address, either give him a fake one, or rent a private mailbox and give that. Do not make it easy for him to find you again, just in case he perceives that you are the enemy later on.

GL

[Kazoey]

I did tell him at the time that I would need a 30 day notice to increase the rent. He wrote one up and I picked it up. It explained the increase was due to housing values going up and that he was very sorry and wished me luck at our new place in June. I presumed he just did this because he couldnt explain why he did it.

Regarding Rogers thoughts. Every last dime is sunk into our down payment right now. We also eliminated all of our cc debt and shredded them to make this work. I simply do not have the means to pack up a full 4 bedroom house into storage and go to a motel right now. The weekly rate chains in the area may be more drama than dealing with him. My neighbor is a lt with the county sheriff. I considered just giving him a heads up and riding it out.

[BCR]

move out now...put your stuff in storage and stay in a hotel with long-term stay rates or move in with a relative / friend until you buy/move into your house. The psycho is liable to do something violent, don't take that risk. 3 months is a long time to stay in a potentially dangerous situation.

If you know who his head shrinker is, i would call/see them to make them aware of what you have experienced. It builds your defense against potential lawsuit for terminating the rent agreement.

generally, according to the Uniform Commercial Code of each state, a month-to-month rental agreement requires 30 days advance notice in writing to increase rent or to terminate by either party. Rent can not be increased for past months. So legally, his threats to increase/back charge rent are probably not enforceable. Just google you state's UCC, its online undoubtedly.

because you fear for your safety, I would think you have a justifiable reason to break the rental agreement immediately and without 30 notice.

This is the best advice assuming you can afford it.

Worst case the dude shows up in your house uninvited. Don’t hesitate to put a bullet in his chest. His behavior has been bizarre enough already with two small children to not fuck with him.

[Zap_the_Fractions_Giraffe]

post link to the bathroom cam or gtfo

[gut]

You should give him your entire Covid relief check in recognition of his brave service of being a landlord.

[TheXFactor]

[GrenadaRoger]

Regarding Rogers thoughts. Every last dime is sunk into our down payment right now. We also eliminated all of our cc debt and shredded them to make this work. I simply do not have the means to pack up a full 4 bedroom house into storage and go to a motel right now. The weekly rate chains in the area may be more drama than dealing with him. My neighbor is a lt with the county sheriff. I considered just giving him a heads up and riding it out.

Apply for a new card...but use it only for emergency spending, don't use it for entertainment or impulse spending.

I would consider your current situation an emergency...this is why one needs credit available even though it isn't used much. Really bad things don't happen often, but when they do, you will need financial resources to get through until you adjust your living/expense commitments to fit your income levels. When you move into your new house you will need all kinds of stuff you haven't imagined yet (appliances, paint, supplies, tools etc.). Fortunately, retailers such as Lowe's, Home Depot, Best Buy will extend you credit in order to get your business. But you will need a general credit card to small retailers that don't expect you to be a continuing customer. So get one and be wise with it.

Of course the above takes time. In addition to what Druff said about interfacing with the landlord, do what you can to minimize you time around him (not easy with the current lockdowns). At lease try to have your wife visit friends/relatives/disappear from the house on weekends, holidays, evenings...

[mulva]

rent gotta go up if the lanlawd have an online gambling problem

[shoeshine box]

My landlord has developed paranoid schizophrenia. At least I think so, my best buddy the head psych nurse for the county and claims that is what it is.

I have rented from him for 5 years. Was all gravy the first 4 and has taken a turn in the past year. He used to own the house with his son and lives in another house he owns in the neighborhood. His son vanished a year ago and cut off all ties with him.

Every few months we would take a drive together to play golf and hit the casino. He started talking crazy of recent about crippling depression, medication costs and the people who where after him and he does not know why. They ran him off the road the other night with a big rig, they have been stealing his food from his fridge (he padlocked it) and they have cameras everywhere. He claims it has been two years since he shit or showered with the lights on.

None of this really effected me until last month. This far into our tenure here we have been month to month for the last three years and are buying a house next month and plan on staying here until June. At that point he is going to sell. We considered buying but it is just too far from where we both work now.

Anyhow, he has been on this kick lately where everyone is after him and taking advantage of him. He sent me a chaotic text one night last month out of the blue that he was jacking my rent up $500/mo for the last three months we are here. Assuming it was an episode I decided to text his son and tell him what was going on. His son replied that he was having some mental issues and that he is likely busto and freaking out. He said the camera stuff sounded like off meds mentallity. He didnt help me out at all after that.

Things went smooth since then as I didnt hear from landlord until this past tuesday when he and his realtor came over on my day off to look at the house to get it ready to list. He was in a great mood. I took the kids to the park to give them time to talk. When he left he told me thank you for helping me out with getting the house sold, forget about the jacked up rent, house is immaculate and you guys have been great renters.

Wednesday morning at 5am I received a text that said "I am not reducing the rent increase, you will pay the increase until you leave. I found the camera in my bathroom and that is completely fucking disgusting!!!"...I replied "the what?!?" and sent the chat log to his son who replied "geez. Always worried about cameras that arent ever there".

Landlord never replied to my text since.

I get a bit worried that I am now "they" in his head. I have a 2 and 8 year old son and he obv has keys/access to the house. Perhaps the worst part given his mental state is that he carries a glock with him and I am not armed. It isnt unusual here for everyone to carry being AZ.

My theory is that he came out of his episode and is not sure how to reply to the message. We are in the process of buying a house and I just figure I will ignore it for now unless it progresses and follow through with my end of the deal.

What would you do?

Short Answer, Renege and do not explain, Just Get the F outta there w/yr kid/s..please..DO NOT tell him, slowly move out and be gone...this cannot end good. he can only get more ment. debilitated as he has not sought help..It does not get better... I been there. Vamoose, scram, beat it, gtfo dodge man.

In My heart i think you know this is the anser.

[JimmyG_415]

Exactly, no one is going to read this and say everything is fine, just stick it out, (esp w/the wife and kids)
& I 100% for the 'Just be gone one night' approach.

Use the down payment,
F the house, you’re going to buy right now?
If I was in escrow, as a buyer, I'd do anything I could not to close the deal. Might even eat a deposit if I had to.

There is no way RE is going to go up after this. (Not so much that it would matter w/in a year, at least)

Short Answer, Renege and do not explain, Just Get the F outta there w/yr kid/s..please..DO NOT tell him, slowly move out and be gone...this cannot end good. he can only get more ment. debilitated as he has not sought help..It does not get better... I been there. Vamoose, scram, beat it, gtfo dodge man.

In My heart i think you know this is the anser.

[Baron Von Strucker]

This person needs to take they're med's, you just don't develop this at a late age, his son needs to take him to the doctor to figure out if he needs a stronger script to help him.
there are a lot of people out there with this problem and generally these folks can lead a fairly normal life as long as they keep up with taking anti psychotic drugs (they should be free) unfortunately most all at some point stop taking them because they feel to drugged up and tired all the time and will supplement with other generally illegal drugs to make them feel better.

I hope it works out for him, it sounds like he is a good guy when medicated properly. It sounds like you were/are friends with the guy so It may be a idea to speak with his son to take him to the hospital to be reevaluated. when he becomes better with clarity he will be extremely sorry and embarrassed for what he has done. the gambling is never a good vice to compensate for someone with mental illness.
good luck with what ever you do.

[Kazoey]

Regarding Rogers thoughts. Every last dime is sunk into our down payment right now. We also eliminated all of our cc debt and shredded them to make this work. I simply do not have the means to pack up a full 4 bedroom house into storage and go to a motel right now. The weekly rate chains in the area may be more drama than dealing with him. My neighbor is a lt with the county sheriff. I considered just giving him a heads up and riding it out.

Apply for a new card...but use it only for emergency spending, don't use it for entertainment or impulse spending.

I would consider your current situation an emergency...this is why one needs credit available even though it isn't used much. Really bad things don't happen often, but when they do, you will need financial resources to get through until you adjust your living/expense commitments to fit your income levels. When you move into your new house you will need all kinds of stuff you haven't imagined yet (appliances, paint, supplies, tools etc.). Fortunately, retailers such as Lowe's, Home Depot, Best Buy will extend you credit in order to get your business. But you will need a general credit card to small retailers that don't expect you to be a continuing customer. So get one and be wise with it.

Of course the above takes time. In addition to what Druff said about interfacing with the landlord, do what you can to minimize you time around him (not easy with the current lockdowns). At lease try to have your wife visit friends/relatives/disappear from the house on weekends, holidays, evenings...

I still have the accounts and all the credit avail, I just dont have the physical cards.

I spoke with both neighbors who have been here before he bought the house. He and his son lived here for a few years arounf 09 before moving to the other side of the neighborhood. They have said he has always been a bit wackadoo but otherwise harmless.

Has been all quiet so far. Meds must have arrived in the mail. I saw him walking his dogs the other day while driving by.

I know he is on Vyvanse as one of the meds. My son takes a low dose of this on school days and our script still runs $300/mo with decent insurance. Wife has the top top tier for the hospital she works for. His must be a fortune.

[Kazoey]

Exactly, no one is going to read this and say everything is fine, just stick it out, (esp w/the wife and kids)
& I 100% for the 'Just be gone one night' approach.

Use the down payment,
F the house, you’re going to buy right now?
If I was in escrow, as a buyer, I'd do anything I could not to close the deal. Might even eat a deposit if I had to.

There is no way RE is going to go up after this. (Not so much that it would matter w/in a year, at least)

Short Answer, Renege and do not explain, Just Get the F outta there w/yr kid/s..please..DO NOT tell him, slowly move out and be gone...this cannot end good. he can only get more ment. debilitated as he has not sought help..It does not get better... I been there. Vamoose, scram, beat it, gtfo dodge man.

In My heart i think you know this is the anser.

The rental market in Phoenix is chaos right now. Gone are the days of move in specials, lower rates for longer leases etc. It is completely oversaturated. I tried to get info on a few several months back and they were all occupied within days, the agents didnt even reply..they sent a text prequalification questionaire.

Our down payment is less to get into a nice house right now than deposits and fees associated with renting a shithole with jacked up rent and some management company or worse another psychotic landlord.