Landlords, Good and Bad

For the last almost 20 years I had the best landlord one could ever want.  I miss that connection. There were never any issues and it was my home, I mean really my home for those years.

I still have a few things in their barn for a time perhaps if I may return.  I have now come to the conclusion that I was extremely lucky. They became my friends. But time moves forward and I am suddenly jolted into reality.

I am here in a different country, different language and a whole new set of rules to live by. In Canada one pays the first and last months rent when you move in. So basically the last month you reside has been paid for. Well down here in Mexico you pay the first month and a deposit which is one months rent. It is then up to the landlord whether you will get that deposit back when you leave. Trust me, they will do anything not to pay you back that deposit. Mine is not unusual and possibly emphasized because I am a gringo.

Let me explain what happened. I decided to leave the house I rented mainly due to cost. The house was not overly large but as I spend the majority of time outside all I really used was the bedroom and kitchen/dining room. So why pay for something that is not being used. And I wanted more space for Seven. Since he first arrived in Holt, he had reign over 200 acres, no fences, no other dogs to quarrel with. Here in Tepoz he became trapped in a small garden and getting very vocal with all who passed the gate. This is not a life for a border collie. I found a beautiful little house, saving me $100 a month. One can buy a lot of food and wine with $100! This new house has much more space outside and Seven has relaxed and not barking at everything that passes, in fact it’s a long path to the road. Strange perhaps to some how one adjusts to the well-being of the animals that share your space possibly more than is necessary but for anyone that is connected beyond a shadow of a doubt, this is normal.

So I duly give my notice and I am then told I broke the contract and do no get my deposit back. I figured that would happen. Every day I was bombarded with messages. When are you leaving? Listen I have til the 15th and I will be out as soon as I can. After multiple trips with bits and pieces, the big things were finally moved this Monday.  I promised I would return to the old house to sweep and mop the floor – lots of dog hair even though I swept every day! At the same time I would pick up the last remaining items, a garden hose, some plants and a big old ashtray that used to sit on my parents coffee table from way back in the 60’s. The plants were there piled up like useless pots but the hose and ashtray gone. I then get multiple messages that I left the place trashed. Garbage everywhere, dirty windows, broken latch. Well the latch broke on its own, just fell off the door one day while I was sitting on the patio. She thinks I am going to pay for that? Think again. I took the garbage to the corner as I have done for the past 3 months but now she says I have to pay – yeah I’ll get right on that. She says if it is not picked up she will bring it to my new house. Well lady I am not going to give you my address. And dirty windows? You just pocketed the deposit, pay someone to clean them. Whether I get the hose and ashtray back is questionable. Probably not. You may think oh come on Steph, it’s only a hose and an old ashtray. That’s not the point, they stole my property. Man am I ever glad to be out of there. She is not a nice person. I really think she tried to pull a fast one on the gringo but it did not work.

So that was my first house move in Mexico. One that I do not wish to encounter again. My new landlady is a calm, intelligent lady and I am sure the relationship will be a better experience.  Thinking about it, I feel as I have just arrived in Tepoz. As much as I tried, the first house never gelled with me, something was not quite right. I will miss the peace and quiet that the house offered and my neighbours but most definitely not the landlord.

Rant over.

Tepoz is wonderful, we needed only to find the right spot to hang our hats. And I believe we have. Life is good.