What are my rights as a tenant or am i making a big deal of nothing?

the people that live downstairs that are renting with the purposes of buying thehouse in a few years wont let us hang our clothes out to dry. they "believe" it will take away the sunlight from the grass and plants. They also dont want us to help out with the yardwork at all. such as watering the flowers or raking up the leaves which i want to do. which i dont know any other person who wouldnt like that but they sure dont. and i think they purposely ran over our wind mills we had in the grass while we were gone. i cant really talk to the landlord because he's related to these people and will take their side. i feel like a freakin prisoner and i just moved here and really don't want to move again when my lease is up.

What are my rights as a tenant or am i making a big deal of nothing?
if it's a shared yard, you have as much right to use it as they do. sounds like they feel like they "own" it more than you because they've been there longer, but they don't. I'd have a chat with them and consult the lease agreement. Don't let them bully you right off the bat. They don't own the place yet!
Reply:Yikes... Is an address that important that you would share a house with these people? Sound very controlling and "odd". I don't think you are going to be happy there. I would mention your dilemma to the landlord and tell him/her you are unhappy and why. You don't need to make it a slander session. Use non threatening, neutral language, write out what you want to say and practice it. Then, if you don't get a satisfactory answer, look for a new place to live. If they value you as a tenant they will try to oblige and come to some sort of compromise. Keep a journal of your conversations with both your neighbor and the landlord and DON'T throw it away. If you decide to stay I would keep a journal. Red flags all over the situation.



There are 2 sides to your situation. I would confront your neighbors and ask them if there is something wrong with the way you are doing things. Maybe they know something you don't. If they are just being jerks, better to learn now.



I don't know anything about your rights as a tenant but here is a website that may help.





http://www.messengernews.net/rental.asp



Good luck.
Reply:well I see two things. First pick your battles, odviously these people are going to be a thorn if it kills them. so tread softly. second, make them your mission to be their friend. that old adage. catch more flies with honey than vinegar. true enough, you will disarm their prickly side if you become friends. you'll find more of a balance, and the control you seek for your own life

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