What the hell?

So....
It's raining. I'm out in the burbs of Long Island. With a borrowed pooch. And I don't feel like doing much of anything at the moment. But most decidedly I do not feel the urge to call Ernesto. Ugh.

Last week flew by. After camping out at Cristina's I *finally* enjoyed a night at Corner Bistro. It's not like they didn't have burgers and beer in Finland. It's just that there wasn't anyone there who truly appreciated the combination. (I still don't understand why or how they decide to add a side of salad to everything. Salad with mayo. Remember people - the land of no napkins.) After being coerced into having one too many, I slept like a log at chez Hov. It was SO nice to everyone. Even though we were six perched around a table for four. But it was gooood.

I spent Thursday and Friday emptying the Queens apartment. Oh, and cleaning. The Harvard God and his family are pigs. They not only stiffed me (well kind of), but left the place filthy. My parents came and helped me clean. I threw away a feather bed, the cover, and a mattress cover. Not to mention assorted towels, sheets, and pillowcases. I was mad when I started scrubbing mildew (a black vine that crawled along the wall), but I was livid when I saw the state of my beloved bed. Then my mom showed me the fridge. Oh and it goes on. But I will not let this ruin my day today. As Erin said - what comes around goes around.

But I did find the contact information I left. Alongside prepaid envelopes addressed to my parents - which they never used. Even though my mail was piling up. Luckily they exited the apartment in such a haste they neglected to pack 3 important things.

1) a Time Warner cable box in the living room
2) a Time Warner cable box in the bedroom
3) and a cable modem

And the remotes of course.

When I called the oh-so-helpful bunch at TW, they informed me the account (which is in good standing) is under the name of said sublettor. HA!

So if he's not going to pay me (and / or ernesto) he's still going to have to pay someone. Or ruin his credit. The do gooder will have to fork out some dough. I feel justified.

Let him hold the threat of treble damages close to his heart. And then let him ask me for the cable boxes. I didn't see anything. Same as him stating he returned the apartment in "even better condition" than it was in May. Right. Life is a circle. And going to a good school does not automatically make you an honest ethical person. Or a hygenic one.

Ew.

Backing up a bit, here's some of the sordid details. James provided a $2500 security which I was supposed to deduct utilities from.(long story, but no-go.) Starting in June he was supposed to deposit the rent in the local Chase. He never did. I've told him I've paid June, July, and August's rent. (I managed to put a stop order on the August check in time. Whew. But James doesn't know that.) Without utilities he would have owed $4500. Taking away his deposit there's still two thousand dollars left unaccounted....that James thinks I've paid. So he's able to sleep at night with that knowledge. Nice. Nothing illegal. But he knows I don't have the resources to file legal action against Ernesto. So he's content to let little ole me pay for him. AND his utilities. (Think of the cost of A/C for a pregnant woman. Con Ed, etc. add up to something like $450.)

But I am going to let Ernesto's daughter stew in her own juices and respond to her nasty email at my earliest convenience. Even though the whole situation has been exposed as illegal 'they' continue to demand money. They're asking for August's rent and assorted utilities. Mind you, the rent I've been paying is more than two times what the management company collects. So (here's your chance to learn something) by asking for more than 10% over the rent controlled (or is it stabilized? i forget) amount, they break the law. As a sublettor, I could conceivably ask for my overcharge. And the court could make them liable for up to 3 times that amount.

Lowballing the overcharge, here's a little bit of math:
... Management company charges $600/month.
... Ernesto charges me $1200/month.
... I lived there for 15 months (before subletting)
... So that tallies up to a hefty 9 K!!!
(oh, and add two more months when James lived there. That's $11,400 !*@! Money in his pocket.)

Uhhh.

Then multiply that by THREE.

ouch.

The man is convinced that because he has nothing written down, he won't get in trouble. And that I wouldn't have the balls to take him to court. But if he continues to threaten, coerce, or guilt trip my parents we shall see. He should count his blessings and be quiet. But no. He's trying to rent the apartment again.

Hallo? Moron. Greedy bastard. Leave us alone.

I have been practicing my argument with the parents and anyone who has been in the vicinity. I have a tendency to get overworked and animated during tense moments. I need to project polite, sincere, and calm. But there is no way I am giving MY money to Ernesto to pay for James. Especially, ahem, when the law is clear about overcharges.

Oy. Happy Labor Day Weekend.

posted by irene @ 9/01/2002 04:43:00 PM