One Man's True Story of Tenant Hell
The Beginning
Hi, my name is Dylan Morrison. I'm a 24 year old male who is on SSI (a form of supplemental disability insurance) for various neurological issues. For now, I live in a brick rowhouse on Union St in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. A year or so ago, I rented this apartment because I was offered it relatively cheap, at $600 a month with heat and hot water included. They were willing to allow cats (I have one by the name of Lars) and willing to let me pay the security deposit in installments, as I did not have the money on hand to pay it then and there. The apartment itself seemed nice, spacious and comfortable, even though the kitchen was tiny and there was a little dining room that I couldn't really see myself having any use for, not being the type to have frequent company or to eat at a table.
The Rental
When we went in to rent the apartment and get the keys, things started sliding downhill almost immediately. Trevor, the man who had shown us this apartment, offered us this apartment at $600/mo, and agreed to take the security deposit in installments was out with another client and the man who was there, Rich, was rude and incredulous. He refused to believe Trevor had offered to rent us this apartment for a measly $600/mo, saying it was worth $750/mo. He also said that they didn't make arrangements as I had described regarding the security deposit. Thankfully, he called Trevor in and Trevor was more than glad to accept our money and give us the keys. All seemed well.
The Flaws
Fast forward a few months. After living in this apartment, a few flaws show up that were not obvious on first inspection. The hot water randomly fails to turn on, the electrical wiring plays havoc with my computer and the phone wiring was so terrible the Verizon technician who came to turn on my internet replaced part of it for free, but said he could not fix all of it as there was, in his words, "an amazing tangle of decaying copper [telephone wire] in the basement". But well, they were renting me this apartment for cheaper than it was apparently worth, so I figured I'll just note the issues as they came and deal with it.
The Mismanagement
This all changed recently when the Management company really started to fail to live up to their title. Despite one of the coldest Octobers on record in Massachusetts, the heat was not turned on until November. While I was out on a business trip, I got notice that they claimed I owed them thousands of dollars in rent because I was supposed to be paying them $650/mo instead of $600, but were unable to produce papers proving this fact, while I was able to produce my lease stating the $600/mo figure. I was also informed that Trevor was no longer with the company.
And now, in the middle of January, in the depths of a freezing cold Massachusetts winter, a notice has been placed near the mailbox for this building stating that Cavalier Management owes Berkshire Gas $1899 and that our heat will be turned off in a month if they do not pay up, and that we as tenants have the right to take up the bill ourselves if we're willing to pay the amount.
I'm sorry, what happened to "heating and hot water included?". What happened to $600/mo? What happened to "if we change the terms of the lease, we'll have you sign a new one"? I've been paying my rent, on time if not early, for a year and a half now, and this is how I get treated?
So this is my advice. To anyone looking for an apartment, an office, an Anything real estate related in Berkshire County, Massachusetts: Steer clear of Cavalier Management.
You've been warned.
