People, I love you.
I knew you all were hot, but had no idea regarding your collective smarts. Within an hour of posting the house drama, I received numerous emails from lawyers, real estate agents (Mere, you rock), concerned readers, spouses of concerned readers with phone numbers of lawyers offering free help…it was overwhelming. Overwhelming. I might have even become a little choked up. Or it could have been my allergies.
You all were right on the money – California is a pro-tenant and pro-environmental green state. With your help, I constructed a letter fueled by my new knowledge of the California codes you mentioned (the quiet enjoyment clause? Hello? Not kidding about The Collective Smart.), ready to bust out phrases such as, “As set forth in X, the tenant is entitled to Y days notice prior to blahdeblah.” (Thanks, Danielle.) I stated our demands- which were payment for moving and storing all of our belongings, as well as 5 days of comparable housing OR holding money in escrow for the fumigation and giving us 30 days to find a new place to live.
We didn’t know what to expect, but regardless of the outcome, it was going to be a royal pain in the ass. Moving all of our stuff in and out of the house? Finding a new, equally-great place to live in just 30 days? Ugh. We stood our ground though, and it felt really good.
The Realtor called us yesterday evening, but we were too afraid to pick up the phone. She left a message mentioning a “positive outcome for all”, so we crossed our fingers and called back. She took our concerns and demands to the new owner, who replied that she was “adamant” about keeping us as renters and would NOT fumigate until we moved out, whether it be in 30 days, 1 year or however long we choose to stay. In the meantime, she would spot-treat the property. YES! Plus, she is not raising our rent. YES YES! We can stay in our beach bungalow sans toxic bombs! YES YES YES! (Not in writing yet. No jinxes, please.)
I really couldn’t have constructed that letter without your help. Your confidence that we could, in fact, prevent the tenting was all I needed to hear. I owe you a HUGE thank you.
So, THANK YOU. We are so grateful. The internet saved our home! Let’s start drinking immediately!
Now I can focus on the important stuff, such as Wito’s 1st birthday post, complete with slideshows and general merriment. Coming soon!
Angella
August 12, 2007 at 9:21 amThat is good news of great joy. Happy for you!
nabbalicious
August 12, 2007 at 9:27 amThat is fantastic!! I’m so glad it didn’t come to nut-kicking.
lini
August 12, 2007 at 9:27 amI am so happy! You have wonderful, caring and smart friends. I was also overwhelmed, even “a little choked up” at the kindness of your friends, and I do not have allergies.
andrea
August 12, 2007 at 9:42 amBehold the power of the internet.
Glad you get to stay in the little beach bungalow and don’t have to worry about toxic fumes. Can’t wait to see Wito’s birthday video.
sizzle
August 12, 2007 at 10:11 amyay for the internet and smart peoples!
so glad about the outcome for y’all.
LVGurl
August 12, 2007 at 10:16 amGreat news!! And less hassle!
Heather B.
August 12, 2007 at 10:46 amI am now beyond excited to come to your gorgeous beach bungalow.
Also, umm slideshows? Can’t wait (maybe)
Amanda
August 12, 2007 at 10:49 amWe are so glad to hear the good news! And FIRED UP for the Wito birthday bonanza! Woo Hoo!
Assertagirl
August 12, 2007 at 11:59 amHooray! That IS great, in many ways.
Natalie 42
August 12, 2007 at 12:46 pmWoohoo! Congrats!
metalia
August 12, 2007 at 1:11 pmOnce again…YAY!!
Jenifer
August 12, 2007 at 2:13 pmYes, internet peeps are the greatest peeps of all! :)
Holly
August 12, 2007 at 2:46 pmNice! The internet put on their game face and pulled through!!! Gotta love how strangers can save a life, a day and a home better than someone you pay or even you know!
Mere
August 12, 2007 at 3:53 pmGoooooooooooo, Internet!
Ok, that is as cheerleady as I get. Glad they saw the light! Glad they can spot treat (which I should have suggested since I know it can be done, it does not solve the prob as well as tenting – but that isn’t your problem!)
Funny story – a client tented their house in San Jose after buying it and THAT was the week that Google took the picture for Google Maps – so there is their house, all red and yellow and looking like a circus!
Happy non-tenting!
Jessie
August 12, 2007 at 5:26 pmSo glad everything worked out, because that sounded like a horrible situation to have to be in. Good luck, and I can’t wait to see Wito’s birthday pictures. I can’t believe he’s a year old already, it seems like he was born just a month or two ago!