Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Georgia

Georgia Tenant: My family and I have been renting a mobile home for several years now without a lease, always paid my rent on time and have done my best to mind my own business. To make money, I have scrapped metal on occasion, about two weeks ago the manager where I lived has submitted new rules to me written in pencil, with nearly every word misspelled. Oh, the rent was also raised without notice.

Among MANY rules, I'm no longer allowed to scrap metal and must clean up my yard. I've accepted this and am working on cleaning up my yard, though it's difficult since nearly every week it's raining heavily more often than not. On top of that, the strongest person in my household recently underwent a major operation (a little over two weeks ago, they came over when he was just released from the hospital with the new rules) and is only now just regaining his strength. He nearly died. At first the managers were very understanding of this but they've been coming by nearly every single day, every day they get more belligerent despite the fact we are working to clean the yard. Usually they come with new rules as well.

I've been told the landowner has been relaying these rules to the manager, who writes or copies them out to give to the residents. They've never asked us to sign it. Today, the manager's wife came by and demanded we clean up everything against the house immediately today, even though it's a severe thunderstorm with a tornado warning since she wants to come 9AM to power wash the side of the house.

We did not request she do this, no one can see the back of the house and...I'm a bit scared to be honest because when she did the front of the house I spent the entirety running back and forth with towels and buckets. She soaked my stove through the vent and then shrugged it off.

I just need to know what I can do in this situation. Do I have to abide by every single rule? Do I have to do so immediately as they seem to expect? Do I just have to put up with them coming to my door every single day? They don't come in so I feel helpless but they trap me for at least an hour or two. Should they have submitted their new rules in a more proper form than scribbled in pencil on a scrap of paper?

I don't want to move, I can't afford it but I just...I don't know what to do. Please help.


Asked on 4/01/16, 6:16 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Scott Riddle Law Office of Scott B. Riddle, LLC

The short version - the landlord expects you to keep the property clean and picked up. That is a common rule and request for most landlords. It is their property. If you do not like the rules, your option is to move to a place you might like more (though that place likely has rules too).

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Answered on 4/02/16, 7:26 am


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