retaliation from landlord
Our landlord has been illegally increasing rent for 4 yrs & after writing him letter, he gave us 30 days ntce to evict. We filed complaint w/Housing Dept & he cancelled said ntce but would still not reduce rent nor agree to refund excess amount. He has now agreed to do monthly credits but is also giving 30 day ntce to remove washer/dryer, even though it was expressed verbal agreement for which we paid $150 for laundry hookups w/his consent & additional $25 p/m for water costs. He’ll now reduce the $25 but wants machines removed. Also, he ok’d us ripping out carpet due to children’s allergies 1 yr ago, but now wants medical proof or he’ll install carpet again. We think he’s retaliating for us filing our complaint & him having to pay back $3000 in excess rent so that we will be frustrated & move out instead. We have tried to talk to him to reach–name removed–agreement but he refuses to come out & wife simply slams door in our face. Can he unilaterally change the terms re the washer/dryer? What rights do we have given he never wanted to do written contract, it was just a month to month verbal agreement?