March 22, 2012
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How I Unintentionally Forced Myself to Move
It has been a crazy and hectic past few weeks, which is a major reason why I haven’t been updating as much lately. As some of you know, Todd (@toadywonders) and I are in the process of moving to a new place together. We’re currently staying at a temporary home until the lease for our condo begins this Saturday.
You might be wondering why I’m moving, especially since my old place was pretty awesome and was great for hosting fun events. Apparently, there is a county specific code that states there can be no more than four unrelated people living in one household. In other words, a family of 12 is allowed to live in one location, but not 12 random people even though each person has their own room within a massive house. It’s some old, dumb code, but alas it’s still a code.
I unfortunately discovered this code the hard way about a month ago, when a county officer rang our doorbell and I just happened to be the one that answered the door. The county officer said there was complaint by someone about us and wanted to ask me some questions. I think it was the fact that he was in uniform and I didn’t want to cause any trouble that led me to comply with all he asked. As far as I knew we were doing nothing wrong, so what’s the harm of answering truthfully (thought naive me)?
After a brief intro, he asked the following question. On left is what, in hindsight, I should have done and on the right is what I ended up doing.
Why didn’t I realize I was not obligated to let him in? So he is now inside and ask me this next question…
My hospitality kicked in or something and I treated the county officer like he was a welcomed guest. ALEX, Y U NO SHUT UP?!
After looking around, he then asked me…
Sigh, I know.
My landlord finally came into the house at this point, but by then it was too late. I had given the officer all the information he needed to give us a notice of our code violation. I never seen my landlord look so down and defeated.
I felt incredibly guilty and horrible about the situation. Even though it was technically the landlord’s fault, I couldn’t help but feel responsible for the mess. If I hadn’t opened that door, 2/3 of us would not have to move out and the landlord, one of the nicest guys I know around here, wouldn’t have to be burdened with finding a new way to pay for the property now that he lost a large portion of rent money.
I do feel better now that some time has passed. I talked to my landlord and he admitted he knew this would come up eventually. My new place, although more expensive, has a lot of wonderful perks/amenities and the location is quite convenient. I guess we’ll have to do a MTV Cribs video once we’re all settled in.
In the mean time, Todd and I will continue to deal with the hassles of moving. Hope you all had a less stressful month than we did!
June 2010-March 2012. Farewell!TL;DR A county officer found out my house had too many people living there, so many of us had to leave.
P.S. I still haven’t found my towel, even after clearing out my room and bathroom. What in the world happened to it??
Comments (93)
You should find the neighbor who posted the complaint. But, post pics soon of the new place. And I’m telling you, Cindy must be constructing a shrine for your towel, performing rituals, sacrificing small children for the towel gods.
Well, at least the officer didn’t interrupt our huge party. THAT would’ve sucked.
Now you know your rights for the next time your landlord breaks a rule.
what kind of crazy shit law is that?
Your alter-ego reported the lost towel, prompting the county officer to stop by about a “complaint.”
Daaaaaaamn dude, doing the right thing bites you in the a**. Sorry about your luck. Hopefully the new pad treats you right!
There’s nothing worse than a neighbor who knows the law and doesn’t like you.
This is a video I watch on a weekly basis: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3435730304776119545
I think that anyone who calls themselves a citizen of the US should click on the link, it’s a good way to learn and review your constitutional rights.
I’m going to miss that house. But oh whale… that place had too much confetti in it anyway. ON TO THE NEXT!
@bonmots - http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/code/property/overcrowding.htm
The house is not approved for group residential facility or bed and breakfast. Different tax brackets for each. The complaint was probably filed by some troll who can’t mind their own business.
Y U so honest?? lol
Btw, I think your towel left because it knew it was going to be evicted as well.
Shoulda offered him some donuts. Y U NO OFFER THAT?
I can understand why you feel bad, but since you had no knowledge you were breaking any rules ( and the landlord DID when he rented to you all) it’s totally not your fault in any way. I would have done the same thing you did. But anyway, enjoy your new condo! I’m moving next weekend so I know what you mean about the insanity.
I am sorry to hear and thank you as well, now half of the Xanga community if not everyone knows about that code now,( never knew it existed.).
p.s. now I cant get that towel of yours off my mind, where could it be?!!!
Lol, I would have done the exact same thing. I’m glad you found a new place, though!
This is why you always lie, lie, lie your ass off when the cops start poking around.
May be the policeman took your towel to keep as evidence, lol. Jk
You should just marry each other.
That is the dumbest code I’ve ever heard of. Why in the world would they have one like that, much less enforce it?
I’m with @the_rocking_of_socks on this one.
I guess every city has their own zoning codes. I think we have something similar here. I think there should be some flexibility – I mean this place isn’t a slum.
I was gonna ask about the towel. It’s probably on ebay being auctioned off to the highest bidder.
p.s. I would have done the same thing and provided all the info to the cop.
The landlord should have warned you there was an issue, it’s totally his fault not yours.
@laytexduckie - That…is a disturbing image. I’m going to make sure I show Cindy your comment haha
@chicbananas - That would have suck, just a little bit
@bonmots - I think it’s outdated, and the next county over doesn’t have this code
@stupid_systemus - Boo to that troll! We’re still trying to figure out who would have said something
@Thatslifekid - I need to listen to the devil on my shoulder more, clearly
@Roadlesstaken - Make sure you gauge her reaction incase she does the shifty eyes and begins denying it.
@whyzat - If only we could figure out which neighbor, because funny enough we don’t really have any close enough neighbors. Hmm…
@ClashoftheTaiten - I actually watched that whole video. As funny as the situation/acting were, it made good points. I actually know those rights, but man did I totally forgot about them all when actually confronted. I will stay cool next time.
@fLiPgUy31O - My new place is not too shabby. Figure out some time to visit again! I’m pretty sure you can find a great deal under $300 to fly out here.
@MzKeekz - Smart towel! Why couldn’t it have told me too?
@CaKaLusa - Donuts…of course! You always have the right answers, Chris.
@leaflesstree - have you already started packing? It’s the actually moving part that’s annoying. You don’t realize how much stuff you have…
@llwindyll - Don’t worry too much about that code since it’s rather specific to my county. Surrounding counties don’t have it. Stupid!
@clumsyandunaware - I’m glad I was able to find a place so quickly. Do you ever visit NoVA, btw?
@the_rocking_of_socks - Or just say nothing. I have the right to remain silent, I gotta remember that!
@stevew918 - I won’t turn down any possible explanations at this point!
@Roadlesstaken - Yes. I’m running out of places to put the boxes, and I have a LOT of boxes. I’m probably going to have to make like a dozen trips, not to mention the furniture. Thank goodness I a) live alone and b) am not moving really far.
@bonmots - @BohemianLotus - I don’t know of a single city that DOESN’T have restrictions how how many families can live in the same house.
There’s nothing you can do about it except vote for politicians who claim they are in favor of fewer government regulations. Darn, I think I violated my promise to myself not to write about politics.
Regardless whatever I personally feel about zoning laws, I think that people like the ex-landlord who knowingly violate them are kind of shady.
@coolmonkey - Some of us suggested we could have our landlord be our godfather. Not sure if that would have worked..
@BohemianLotus - It is a dumb code, which apparently isn’t enforced too often. I’m hearing that the county officer may just drop it too. Sigh, oh well.
@ElusiveWords - Exactly, the officer even pointed out how nice the place was. We even have a sprinkler system that many places do not have!
@anonymous - Yeah, I agree. Wish he could have given us the heads up.
@laytexduckie - got it!
@HappeningsZ - I agree, it was a bit shady. He even suggested we should all pretend to move out and then come back in after the inspectors gives the okay for the place. Too much funny business.
@leaflesstree - I’m fortunately only moving about 2 miles away myself, so it could be worse
never heard of this law before.
I think there’s some rule in Pennsylvania where there can’t be more than a certain number of women living in a house because then it is considered a brothel lol.
Sucks that you had to move out of that place, though.
lmao, that really sucks but makes for a good blog post. cops are assholes.
D’oh! …orz I think it’s the landlord’s fault as well. He should have warned you guys at first. Fail Whale! Time for new adventures at your new place.
wow that is so interesting. i didnt know that there was a code like that. and if i were in your shoes i would kind of feel guilty too but its really not your fault. and WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT TOWEL??!! i wanna know!
Oops. I accidentally clicked the like button. I didn’t mean to! You need an unlike button too. haha Anyway, it sucks that that happened.
At least you have a place now? Good luck!
I just realized…you MEMEBLOG.
Stupid code, it’s actually very ecofriendly to do co-operative housing like that! Not that it’s actually a co-operative housing unit, but you know what I mean. Ah well, at least this will make for good moving blog stories from you.
It wasn’t TL;DR. You had PICTURES. Pictures help a great deal. Apparently.
Here I think the code is that you can’t have more than three unrelated people living in the same house. I think. I should be an expert on county codes by now, but, alas.
Wow, that all sounded like quite a pickle. You shouldn’t feel too badly over it though considering you didn’t know about the code. The towel story is going to be one that will haunt us all for years… thanks.
That’s an interesting code. I didn’t realize the house you lived in was so big. 12 rooms!?
Haha. I would have done the same thing, I think if a guy in a uniform showed up asking me questions. XD
That sucks! But yes, it was coming. I like the tl;dr part. (:
aww
Man, that really sucks. But, I have found that when a change is needed, and not being made, life will force a change at some point. Like your landlord said, he knew this would happen eventually. Meaning he knew about the code. So, at least you can enjoy all the great memories, and this will be the next chapter in your life. Plus, the new place sounds like you found something good. Can’t wait to see pics!
WHAT???
That officer sounds like a total prick. Was he going around the neighborhood just TRYING to find code violations? And why would such a law exist?
Seriously? That’s nonsense… I think. Never heard of a code like that before
Man, I would have been so cagey, even not knowing the code…No names, no invite, no nothing. No cops allowed! The tip-off would have been that he wasn’t looking for anyone specifically, just poking around.
(Though the landlord really shouldn’t have done that in the first place, or had his property reclassified so he could…)
Enjoy the new place though!
wow that sucks. I’m sorry. I know the landlord broke the rules and all, but I am sort of pissed off at the person who reported it. What’s their problem? If you aren’t loud and dirty I would mind my own business. Maybe I’d talk to the landlord ad ask if he knows about it but not just complain. I think some people just complain because it makes them feel powerful and good if they obey the state so much.
@wyrdkismet - Guess it’s because it’s specific for my county. The county over doesn’t have such restrictions. Boo!
@Cestovatelka - We were joking about that too. Like, what were they thinking? Are we a male brothel?? haha
@ShimmerBodyCream - Wasn’t even a real cop, it was a county officer. Gah, why must I be so compliant?!
@Got_Claws - Yes, I’m excited for new adventures at the new place! I hope it works out.
@rxglasshalffull - I want to know too! It’s going to remain one of those dumb mysteries in my life if I don’t figure it out.
@dUhGrL - My post isn’t worth a measly like from you? So sad! j/k
@kaiori - Too much Reddit lately, hence the memes haha
@randaness - Only 3? That seems like a low amount. I’m glad you didn’t think that was too long. Some people’s attention spans are so short nowadays
@CuaSo - Haha, why is it haunting you? I think it will haunt me the most. It defeats all my logic…
@karen0z - Yeah, it’s an unusual situation. The place was originally meant to be a group assisted living home, but it didn’t go through. The landlord was left with this big house with all these rooms, so he decided to rent them out. Made sense to do.
@Xbeautifully_broken_downX - yeah, it’s apparently very common when confronted with someone in uniform. Next time, I’ll be prepared to handle it!
@raised_bywolves - Thanks, I might have to do that more often
@happyobligations - http://i.imgur.com/zS2No.gif
@justjase - Exactly, that’s how I’m trying to see things now. I will certainly introduce my new place once it’s all ready!
@oxyGENE_08 - http://i.imgur.com/P12Lo.gif
@nimbusthedragon - Apparently someone called them with a complaint on our place, so they had to follow up. Yeah, I think the code is dumb. Some of us think it may have to do with a lot of immigrants that might all stay in one place or something. Who knows.
@xOne_twentyX - Me neither, but now I’ll be cautious about it for future reference
@BranmacFeabhail - You know, I’m not surprise you would have dealt with the situation better for some reason haha. I need to be more like you Bran! Next time, I’ll be prepared.
@under_the_carpet - Yeah, we were trying to figure out who would have said that. It wasn’t like we were throwing loud parties with sketchy people coming over. We’re all professionals! Blah
@Roadlesstaken - What kinda complaint? It’s not like you have 5 dozen random strangers come over from the internet and booze it up and half/destroy the place in a drunken stupor. …………….Oh. Wait.
every experience is a lesson learned… on the bright side, you can now chuckle about this situation and I love the pictures that went with this story!
@aJoLLyDork - I am laughing about it now, but oh man was I not laughing the week or two following that encounter!
Dear Alex,
The reason I had to move last time was because one roommate died and the next couldn’t afford to pay the rent. Now I own my own (mobile) home, live alone, and couldn’t be happier.
Towels are pretty cheap at Big Lots. I don’t know if they have any in Virginia. (Still there?) Some gal left a couple of towels at my place last summer. She dropped by my place with her two kids. (5 and 7. I don’t have kids. But I have lots of “toys” I had to explain aren’t to be “played” with.) I let the gal stay over at my place with her kids. She left the next morning and I haven’t seen her since.
I washed the towels. But I didn’t use fabric softener. They’re currently stacked up on a shelf in my closet. It’s been six months and the gal hasn’t returned. I could FedEx them to you (collect of course!)
You’re young, so you don’t have the ‘stuff’ I collected after living for 14 years in the same house. I created a rule when I cleaned out my garage (which was stuffed with stuff and didn’t even have a place for a car.) If I didn’t look at something in 14 years, I figured I wouldn’t ever look at it. I think I tossed over 500 videotapes and probably twice that many magazines. I sold some furniture on Craigslist, and carted the rest out to the curb. (A lot of it disappeared overnight!) Back when I was younger, I moved about once every year and a half, and became quite experienced at it. In fact, I was called on not only to help but to “plan” moves for two friends!
I’ve been at my “new” home for over three years now and don’t have any plans to move.
I can’t believe there’s a “law” stating that only family members can pack a home in this day and age, when “families” are made up of disparate folks, and in this economy, where it is literally “cheaper by the dozen” pooling resources.
Shame on the county
Your hindsight comic is funny and true.
Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool
@Roadlesstaken - eh, i just don’t trust the law enforcement system haha
Thats sucks, especially if people are single, ya know? It is like if you dont live with/have a family, you have to live alone. It stinks, why shouldnt single people get to live in community. I would like to see these laws revoked. I am sure it has to do with drugs and stuff, but police need to do work not kick good epople out of thier houses. Sry man, but I am glad you have another place to go (also, be quiter next time and/or dont look so conspicous to the neighbors, ha ha).
@baldmike2004 - First off, I gotta say I miss your long comments. Very refreshing! Yeah, I know towels are cheap, but it’s the mystery of it all! How in the world could it have disappeared like that?? It bothers me a lot, logically speaking.
@Doubledb - There’s rumors among my housemates that are still there that the county may not even pursue this case further. I wish I had know that before! Oh well, moving to a new place will be a nice change.
@Roadlesstaken - hahaha I love your posts, but just not this one. Here, my “like” makes it seem that I like the fact that you were forced to move out. XD I’ll be sure to like your other posts.
I would have done the same thing. I just hope you like your new place just as much
@dUhGrL - Okay, fair enough!
@ArmyWife4Life2007 - I am I am! Now, I just need to get internet over there…
like I said, it’s not your fault! Can’t wait to see the new place!
@chicbananas - true. that would have sucked.
@lovelybish - Come visit soon!
soon! I still want to come up next month
Aww don’t worry Alex, thats a sucky ass law and a situation that anyone else would have done the saem in…unless they happened to somehow know the details of random silly codes.
Plus we shouldn’t have to live in a world were we are forced to lie and be evasive or we are punished, thats a dark road to start down so I applaude your honesty and hospitality.
@SaintBlue1131 - I guess it worked out for the best. My new place is pretty awesome =D
Whaaaaaat! That’s crazy! I’m glad that you were able to find a new and better place though
@wikipediot - Me too, and doing so in such a short time frame!
Busy, indeed. I’m glad the new place seems to be quite good. And hopefully things are going to slow down from now on. Awesome memes, btw.
@nov_way - Thanks. Yeah, time is going by fast nowadays…not sure if I like that.
my personal opinion is, if the people living under the same roof can get along and keep the house/building from destructions, then why not? i’d reckon the one who complaint just got jealous cause he/she never got invited to any one of your awesome parties.
@rudyhou - indeed, that must be it! Yeah, it’s not like we were a frat house or anything. Boo…
@Roadlesstaken - exactly!
Poor towel… gone without trace
@RestlessButterfly - Oh well, at least now I bought a new one that’s softer!
It’s totally not your fault, the landlord (as nice as a person as he is), should have told you about it. Hope you have as much (or more) fun at your new place
@sageng - I am, it’s a pretty sweet find! I’m happy here.
Wow, that’s crazy. I would’ve been the same as you though. I’ve always been taught to respect police officers and that I have nothing to hide. It sucks someone made a complaint 0_0 Too bad the landlord hadn’t made you aware of the zoning law before you all moved in though – since at leas you could’ve made an educated decision about whether to move. The house looks gorgeous though! I’m glad it worked out for you and your friend to find a different place, but bummer it had to happen like that. The cartoon was funny though – seriously that’d totally be me “come on in to my humble abode officer, ooh you want to look in my closet and bug my phone? Go right ahead! I have nothing to hide” *nods*
@Fireflywishes - Haha yes, it was that mentality that I had nothing to hide that made me so welcoming and pleasant. I got to learn to be a jerk next time!
The best way to move is to get up and start walking. For your sake, I hope you walk away from troubles.
I don’t think these are really ‘OLD’ codes. They’re NEW codes recently enacted to target ‘illegal immigrants’. Baltimore County/City recently enacted some in the last few years too.
It’s ridiculous. To be fair, a rented house should be able to have AT LEAST as many people as there are bedrooms. Makes sense right? (Being generous is two people to a room)
Your landlord should challenge these unfair laws! They’re trying to target illegal immigrants (which is shady in its own way) but scooping up honest renters & people just trying to get by in the meantime.
Sorry you got swept up in this. Glad you found a new place though!
@EyesOfAranger - Walked away I sure did!
@Liz - Apparently other houses got hit with this too recently. I wonder who’s making the complaints? Oh well, not my problem anymore. (Which Liz is this btw? Is this a Kontz??)
That’s a downer… it looks like a pretty swell place too. Too bad you had to learn the hard way bud, but yeah… never let the cops inside unless they have a warrant. Having said that, you’re too nice for your own good sometimes
Hope you’re not too stressed out over it, what happened, happened and it’s just time to move on. Cheers mate.
@paperblanks - I was super stressed, but now I’m at my new place and I feel much, much better. Any word on when you will be paying me a visit? Can’t believe it has almost been a year since I was in Toronto
@Roadlesstaken - I know I keep saying this and it’s frustrating because my plans keep falling through, but I DO want to come visit. I’m struggling to graduate at the moment (while working full time as well), so that’s what holding me back bud. As soon as that’s cleared (hopefully in a month when I write my exam), we’ll make solid plans!
@paperblanks - Deal! Good luck buddy
We have a code like that in MA from bygone years. It was a way to attempt to curtail brothels where unrelated women lived. Obviously it is outdated, but that’s lame the officer used it to kick you all out. You can try to appeal it, but it may be more trouble than it’s worth. Luck with your new place1
@Linh_L - We were kinda joking around about that. We were thinking we should say we are a male brothel haha
This would have never happened if you were black… or Italian.
@vanedave - Maybe one day I can be Black or Italian.
Wow, what a weird code!
I wouldn’t feel too bad about it – You had no idea such a law existed, and it truly was the task of the landlord to be knowledgeable about it.
Hope your new place is enjoyable!
@Lynn1013 - thanks, and so far so good. Did you get a chance to see the video tour of my new place yet?
@Roadlesstaken - Watched it just now. That’s a great place!
Oh, and the background music on your video was perfect.