really, It is just the assumpton that I was trying to defraud that irks.

beth,

Much sympathies. I was audited by NY for excluding income left to me by my Dad. When I replied that I followed their tax form directions to the letter, they basically said, "No, you didn't, you should have known X, Y, Z, even though we didn't include that, and probably did it on purpose." Yet, mysteriously, the directions were rewritten the very next year. Jackholes.

wrod.

Ok. I've written a letter to the landlords and would really like feedback. All names have been "changed" to protect the guilty.

Dear Landlords,

I called, very upset, this morning at about 10:30am and was told that Mrs. Landlord was on another phone call and would need to call me back As of 6:30pm she has not returned my phone call. So, I feel the need to write this letter, as my concerns seem to be being ignored.

I was upset this morning, because I came home from class to find out that Mr. Landlord had come by to take the screen out of Emily’s room. We basically received no notice that this would be happening. I was at class, and Emily was still sleeping until 10 minutes before Mr. Landlord came by. She had not gotten a chance to check voice mail yet. This is not notice and is completely inappropriate, and I might add, against the law.

We have been extremely flexible and cooperative over the past month. On May 18, 2006, I sent you both a letter letting you know we would not be resigning the lease. In that letter I explicitly explained that we must have 24-hour’s notice before the apartment was shown to potential tenants. Yet, over the next several weeks the following things happened:

· On June 23, Mrs. Landlord stopped by with no notice to take pictures of the apartment. I let her in, even though I had been napping.

· On June 26, I received a voice mail from Mrs. Landlord saying that she “forgot” to call the night before, but they would be coming by to show the apartment at 5pm. In an attempt to be flexible, I called back and let her know I would not be home at 5pm, but they could show the apartment at 6pm. That worked and is what happened. I gave you no trouble about not giving us enough notice.

· On June 28, I received a voice mail from Ms. Agent that she would be showing the apartment that evening. I called her back and let her know that that would not work, because neither Emily nor me could be home to take Toto out. She insisted that everything would be fine, so I said ok. Twenty minutes later she showed up at the door with potential tenants. We received no call, nothing. I explained that we must at least have a phone call before she shows the apartment. She agreed. She also showed the apartment that evening, which she let us know as she walked out of the door that morning.

· On June 29, Ms. Agent called at 5pm to let us know she would be showing the apartment at 6pm. That is one hour notice.

· On June 30, Mrs. Landlord called and left a message that Emily’s room was “too cluttered” and we needed to be “more cooperative” and “help them out.” Emily moved some things around the best she could. We were both furious, though, that we were called uncooperative after everything we have put up with.

· On July 5, Ms. Agent leaves a message that she will be showing the apartment at 11:30am. The message was left at 10:00am. That is an hour and a half’s notice.

· Also on the 5th, Mrs. Landlord calls at 5:15pm to let us know she will be showing the apartment at 6pm. That is 45 minute’s notice.

· On July 7 at 2pm, Ms. Agent called and talked to Emily to let us know the apartment had been rented. She wanted to bring by the dad of the new tenants in 30 minutes so he could see it. I was napping, because I was not feeling well, so Emily said no, that we could not be ready. This was the only time we ever refused entry, even though we never received 24 hour’s notice.

This is a consistent pattern of disrespect for our privacy and our time--not to mention that you have not at all followed the law, which requires 24-hour’s notice. As noted, we have been extremely flexible and cooperative, even after being called uncooperative.

That ends now. From now on if we do not have 24-hour’s notice that you will be entering the apartment, we will not allow entry. If you do not adhere to this, I will be forced to register a complaint with the city. I do not want to do that. We have enjoyed living here for the past three (continued...)

( continues...) and four years. I do not want to end on bad terms. But, you must respect our privacy and our time. We have a right to that. We are not asking for a lot.

I am not a completely unreasonable person, though, and I have had some time to calm down since talking briefly with Mrs. Landlord this morning. I know you will want to get into the apartment to do things like painting and fixing the living room floor before the new tenants move in. Therefore, I have a proposal. Not!Emily, Emily, and I can be out of the apartment by August 15. I will have it spotless by then, which would allow you to come in and make the improvements you would like to make before September 1. In return, we will pay ½ month’s rent ($1050) for August. If you would prefer not to go this route, we will insist that you not enter the apartment until we are completely moved out and have the apartment clean on August 31. We feel this is a win-win situation for all of us. Not!Emily, Emily, and I can save a little money, and you can make the improvements you would like to make before the new tenants move in.

Your immediate attention to these matters is appreciated.

Sincerely,

vw bug

for Emily, Not!Emily, and vw bug

OOOH. You'll have some time to play, I hope?

I'm hoping too. We should be able to get together while I'm up there.

I'm hoping too. We should be able to get together while I'm up there.

Yay. Let me know when you know what your plans are.

I think the letter is great, vw. I would, however. cite the actual law within the letter so they see that you aren't just fishing: you've done your homework.

Cereal: Beth, so sorry about EDD. How frustrating for you.

vw, that letter is great, and HOLY HELL, I had no idea it had happened that many times. I'm surprised you held out this long. I also agree with Kristin that a citation of the actual law will go very far.

I also think you rock because I am so very bad at being assertive because I just figure it is everyone's right to treat me like crap.

I'd leave ot the basically in: We basically received no notice that this would be happening

You could say 'We received insufficient notice" or no notice or improperly delivered notice.

The "basically" sounds like you are making a leap or cutting a corner in your definition, which I know you are not.