It all started when my girlfriend and I moved to california, USA.
She found a 'hostel' for $175/week. That's doable. Told me to move out, she was told the price would be the same since we share a bed. I arrive, and the room is obviously illegal,in the back of a beauty salon, we have to leave during the day (8am to 7pm), it's shit, but whatever. Gotta take what we can get, right? Tol myself it was only temporary. The people renting the property asked us to help prepare another property- a house. Said if we helped, we could get a private room in it for the same price. Also 'gave me a deal', letting me work construction for them in exchange for my share of rent- 70 hours a month (It's $175/wk, each, so $1400/m. Credits me 10/hr, which is LESS THAN MINIMUM WAGE, and sometimes over 8 hours a day)
Skip ahead, and I'm doing that job and another. I'm making pizza for $10.50,and construction in 100F+ degree weather for less than that. At least a few hours, every day. When I show up to work, I can't 'clock in' until my 'boss' is ready to start work. It's usually around 11, so now I don't show up until 11.
My day consists of a wide variety of construction skills: 1. Putting up walls to divide rooms so they make more money. (Against code, no permit) 2. Building a 9x9 box outside, with no pwer, for them to rent out as a studio. (They're exact words: "It's not legal for them to sleep, since it's not a bedroom. So everyone who shows up for a residence, I'll mention the artists studio, and mention it's comfy for art and hobbies, and be sure to point out the pull out couch for 'napping'", wink) 3. The place is literally a deathtrap. Southern California and they barely have any AC (my place has none). Most bedrooms don't have windows or multiple exits. I literally fear for the tenants. 4. Being shamed when I need water or sunscreen, and slandered. "You don't need a hat or sunscreen, only f_ggots need sunscreen". "Don't you know how to use a hammer?my get that nail in! Like you're pounding a whore in the alley" He introduces me as "The guy who's just out of prison, I'm giving him work rehab", which is a flat out lie.
The lady who owns the building we stay in rents the room to him for $550. He rents it to us for $1400. No permits, no taxes, nothing. Every time I hint at the fairness, he throws in my face "It's an illegal room. You're not a tenant, you're like a squatter. If we decide to kick you out you won't get any piece of paper, I'll just get my friend to call her brothers and bring their dogs to remove you.", and laughs while he says it.
What should I do? Me and my girl are working jobs (well technically I'm working 2). We can't save, we're paycheck to paycheck living off ramen and dollar menu- we don't have a kitchen (we have microwave,toilet, and mini fridge we share with like 3 other people.)
Don't believe me? Look up ((deleted the name)) in Garden Grove CA. The picture is of a beauty salon.
We can't afford to save up a deposit to move, we're lucky to be eating every day. We don't even mind getting evicted- not paying rent for a week or two and getting evicted is the only way we can think of to build enough money to deposit and rent something better- but can he really just kick us out when he decides to?
He shows up at my door at 9am and yells that I need to come to work. When I get there, he's not even there so I have to wait for him to clock in. Is that legal? (When I show up at 9, he doesn't start till 11 and I waste my time- not allowed to clock in without him.)
TLDR: Constant harassment, and Indentured Servitude to rent a 12x12 room in a beauty salon with no AC or shower.
There's more, but I'm in the bathroom typing this. It's the only break I get (other than lunch, and I usually can't afford to eat.)
Should I do a civil suit for lost time, over time, etc? Or harassment? Sexual harassment? Tenant law?
Submitted July 06, 2018 at 10:23PM by Redchigh- https://ift.tt/2KR3e8n
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