I'm being evicted. I technically don't live there anymore but that's the hearing. My defense strategy is to prove that my landlord was evicting me as a means of retaliation.
This is the order of events but bare in mind this might be a bit out of context, in the months leading up to this he had been bullying me, harassing me, sending his workers into the house unannounced to fuck with our shit. I have proof of this in texts, even the one where he says if I call the police, he'll make my life a living hell and evict me. From what i've heard though, those issues would be a separate hearing, specifically me suing him
So here goes:
Jan 19, 2016: I ask him in text to fix the broken handles on the microwave and the fridge, they were destroyed by one of his former workers.
Jan 20, 2016: After more fighting, I tell him I'm contacting L&I. I also request that he return my security deposit less one months rent(he had two months rent security) since I'd been living there for over a year. I'm citing this for my justification: At the beginning of the second year of a lease the landlord may not keep a security deposit equal to more than one month's rent and must return any money greater than one month's rent still being held as a deposit
March 1st, 2016: More fighting, I tell him not to cash my check and that I'm putting my rent into escrow until he fixes the microwave handle, fridge handle, and mice infestation. He has still failed to return my security deposit.
April 8th, 2016: We continue to argue, His former worker that now lives in the house (house share) kicked my door in. I send him a picture. He says it will get fixed. It does not get fixed.
May 2nd, 2016: We keep fighting about about a number of things, He keeps saying he wants rent, I keep reminding him I want these things addressed. He sends me a picture of an eviction notice. He tells me that His worker will come by and fix everything and lay mouse traps. I put a check in the mail for the money he said I owed him.
May 4th, 2016: L&I finally shows up and cites him for:Exterior rodent harborage, exterior area drainage, exterior struct roof drainage
May 31st, 2016: Refrigerator and microwave doors are still broken, LL workers came by with another dozen mouse traps. So far we'd caught about 40. I still have my rent money in escrow, I do not pay June
June 8th ish: I get a summons from the court to appear on july 20th. It says that I refuse to give up possession of the property and that I owe junes rent still.
A lot happened in between but I'm trying to just focus on the parts that are relevant here and what I can actually establish with text record. I'm probably forgetting a few things but I'd like to hear your guys thoughts on my defense.
Submitted July 20, 2016 at 05:33AM by okthanfine http://ift.tt/2a6NAU5 legaladvice
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