California landlord wants to convert her tenants’ garage into an in-law suite for herself, offering no rent reduction, charging them for moving costs, and refusing to put any of the terms in writing – FAIL Blog

The utilities arrangement deserves a slow clap, a standing ovation, a bow, something. No separate meter, no formula, no written agreement. Just a loose promise that the landlord will pay back whatever she uses during her occasional visits, calibrated to whatever she feels like that quarter. For tenants already paying high rent in a tight market with kids in school and nowhere obvious to go, this situation has the specific texture of someone who knows exactly how trapped you are and is pricing accordingly.