Landlord vs. reloading bench

[silicosys4]

So after refusing a surprise inspection from the landlord yesterday and making arrangements for an appointment today, my landlord made an inspection of my house specifically to look at my reloading bench. I have a progressive and a rock chucker single stage, so pretty modest.

She had sent an assistant to do an inspection a few months ago, which was reasonable, it was 6 months into the lease. I get that they want to keep an eye on things.
The assistant had noted the fact that I had a reloading bench in the dining room (gf's away at school, why not) but made no fuss about it, same with the lead casting setup in the garage.

This time the landlord came in person with her assistant.

So the first thing the landlord and her assistant said was "we saw last time you were inspected that you had a facility for manufacturing and making bullets and ammo. We are just here to ensure the safety of our clients property, so show us where you keep your explosives and bullets"

Well....I had an inkling that something like this was coming when they tried their no-notification inspection the previous day, so among other things I had moved my primers and powder out of the garage where they were to the outside shop.

Her exact words when looking at my bench was "that is an explosion waiting to happen".
Mind you there was no powder or primers anywhere in the house at that time, a fact I had already brought to her attention. I guess the presumption was that butcher block, dies, brass, and lubed lead is explosive, lol.
Next was "you should move that to the garage". I explained to her that I was paying to rent a house specifically so I could enjoy my hobbies in the comfort of my own home.

When we got to the garage...I have an empty oxygen bottle that I fill up for welding projects....again..."that is an explosion waiting to happen".
Propane tank for a BBQ on the other side of the garage...oh lord....another explosion waiting to happen. Lord knows what hysterics would have ensued if my powder and primers were still in the garage.
Got to the casting pot, got some more evil looks after I confirmed that was where I cast bullets

After explaining that I was doing nothing out of the ordinary and not "manufacturing ammunition" they finally left but I have the definite feeling that won't be the last of that.

And these people are in charge of my housing situation.

The worst part was I had nowhere to go...they were in my freaking home with their anti, no-logic BS. Anyone else I could laugh off and walk away from.
Ugh. Time to think about buying a house.

Anybody else have this kind of experience with anti's who are in direct control of your life in some way?
Do I have any legal protection in this matter? It seems strange that I could have a room converted to a satanic alter and I am protected under religious freedom but they can drop my lease over a reloading bench...

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I would guess they won't be renewing that lease.

 

[twofifty]

You are a baaad man.

 

[gamestalker]

You mean to tell us that you are working with reloading, or rather explosives in the home? How could you, I can completely understand their concerns, NOT!

I would think that if they refuse to renew your lease specifically based on your hobby, and provided nothing you are doing is illegal or poses a risk of damage to the property, you might have a viable civil case. Maybe not though.

One of the first things I do prior to signing a lease is make clear that I have a reloading hobby.

GS

 

[hartcreek]

In your state look up its version of the Landlord Tenant Act.

 

[Reloadron]

In your state look up its version of the Landlord Tenant Act.

That would be where I would start. While I haven't a clue what state you reside in all states that I am aware of spell out both landlord and tenant rights. You should have been familiar with what a landlord can and can't do before ever entering into a lease agreement.

I won't even get into what may or may not be classified as an explosive.

Do I have any legal protection in this matter? It seems strange that I could have a room converted to a satanic alter and I am protected under religious freedom but they can drop my lease over a reloading bench...

Again, beats me as you signed a lease or renters agreement and I haven't a clue what you signed. I would suggest you read what you signed when you entered into the lease agreement.

Ron

 

[Walkalong]

In today's market I would think seriously about buying a home instead of renting. Lots of deals out there.

Until then, look up your legal defenses, be nice, grin and bear it.

 

[larryh1108]

Their house, their rules. The new lease may have specific wording which bans all types of hobbies which could include reloading or storage of explosive or flammable products or devices. They may not be able to kick you out now but they could add verbage to your next lease to ban all of your fun projects. Their house, their rules.

 

[rbernie]

My landlord has folk coming and going for maintenance or municipality inspections or similar on a fairly recurring basis. (Yesterday, it was the local fire department/inspector folk checking up on the sprinkler system..) I keep all of my primers and powders and loaded ammo under lock and key in cabinets, so that nothing is visible to the casual viewer. Seems prudent..

I've had folk question me about shop supplies in the garage, and I usually just point out that my shop supplies are not more or less a hazard for 'an explosion waiting to happen' than my car's gas tank, and yet they don't consider it to be an undue risk when I park my car in the garage....

 

[LemmyCaution]

Your landlord has a point. One is required to use one of these at work. Why should one's home be any different?

 

[Scooter22]

Your landlord has a point. One is required to use one of these at work. Why should one's home be any different?
View attachment 198633

Your kidding right? The most common cause of fires or explosions in the home are gas stoves and heaters. I would bring that up to the land lord. Meanwhile check the legalities start looking for another place. Good luck

 

[MtnCreek]

Time to think about buying a house.

If that's something that works for your situation, go for it. Use the remaining 6 months you have in this lease to stockpile as much cash as possible.

You can take a look at SAMMI. They list guidelines for storage, but I don't think you're going to find anything there to help with your situation.

Edit: If you want to spend a little time, research common house items and make a list of flammable, combustible items. If confronted again, it may be fun to tell them about all the dangerous items sitting around in most homes.

 

[Captcurt]

In today's market I would think seriously about buying a home instead of renting. Lots of deals out there.

Until then, look up your legal defenses, be nice, grin and bear it.

Have to agree. Every month you are building equity when that payment goes to the bank. Renting a house is like leasing a car. At the end of the year all you have is a rental receipt.

Check your lease agreement and see if explosives/reloading is even addressed. If the landlord gets snippy, ask to see their credentials stating that they are demolitions experts.

 

[BSA1]

Their house, their rules. The new lease may have specific wording which bans all types of hobbies which could include reloading or storage of explosive or flammable products or devices. They may not be able to kick you out now but they could add verbage to your next lease to ban all of your fun projects. Their house, their rules

Not so. The binding rules are what is written into the contract.

 

[BSA1]

Your landlord has a point. One is required to use one of these at work. Why should one's home be any different?

Smokeless powder is not a explosive and only burns in a fire.

Gas containers should be only stored in a cabinet specially designed for them.

 

[oneounceload]

they were in my freaking home with their anti, no-logic BS

It is NOT your home. You want to make the rules? Buy your own house; otherwise you are subject to their rules and regs

 

[thefish]

As a landlord of several properties, I understand their concern, and it is 100% based on lack of understanding.

Take this opportunity to do some research and set up a meeting with her to try to educate her on how safe it is. You know its safe, i know its save. She sees "explosives". The gas tank in your car or the bbq grill tank is a great analogy. Find some others. Gas stations and welding supply companies are not blowing up all over the place. Do this in a non combative method.

If you are a good tenant you would be surprised how receptive they may be.

If you want to move on in 6 months don't bother. But understand the issue may come up again.

However, you may consider telling them you will stop melting lead. That is an environmental concern they may not be willing to bend on.

Good luck.

And also understand (and this is for the rest of you too). This is not an "anti" issue. It's rediculous that some people start yelling ANTI as soon as someone doesn't agree with you. For all you know your landlord has a ccw. This is simply a lack of understanding of your hobby and the components involved. They are trying to protect their investment. You would do the same thing.

 

[buck460XVR]

As a landlord, I appreciate your landlords concerns. It sounds as if the woman you spoke of is from a rental management company. You need to realize the types of people they are used to dealing with. Having your reloading set-up in the dining room would set off an alarm to me, and I reload myself. You did not say if you are renting a house or an apartment. If they feel, in an apartment setting, you may be endangering others, this may escalate their concerns. I would ask if a fire inspection would calm their fear. Sometimes the opinion of a expert does much more than pleas from a tenant. As others have said tho, their house, their rules. Check your lease.

 

[Wildbillz]

Time to move.

WB

 

[thefish]

Her exact words when looking at my bench was "that is an explosion waiting to happen".
Mind you there was no powder or primers anywhere in the house at that time, a fact I had already brought to her attention. I guess the presumption was that butcher block, dies, brass, and lubed lead is explosive, lol.
Next was "you should move that to the garage". I explained to her that I was paying to rent a house specifically so I could enjoy my hobbies in the comfort of my own home.

I would take this opportunity to educate her as to exact ally what she is looking at. Your press is no more dangerous than a stapler.

After explaining that I was doing nothing out of the ordinary and not "manufacturing ammunition" they finally left but I have the definite feeling that won't be the last of that.

Choose your words carefully. That is EXACTLY what you were doing.

Time to think about buying a house.

Absolutely. Money is cheap right now, especially with FHA assistance

but they can drop my lease over a reloading bench...

Can they? READ YOUR LEASE

 

[zxcvbob]

Their house, their rules. The new lease may have specific wording which bans all types of hobbies which could include reloading or storage of explosive or flammable products or devices. They may not be able to kick you out now but they could add verbage to your next lease to ban all of your fun projects. Their house, their rules.

Actually, it's his house until the lease is up or he breaks it.

 

[thefish]

Actually, it's his house until the lease is up or he breaks it.

100% Untrue. Legal ownership is not transferred with a lease. If it were, there would be no rental properties, anywhere.

 

[LemmyCaution]

Smokeless powder is not a explosive and only burns in a fire.



Gas containers should be only stored in a cabinet specially designed for them.

Right. That's why I pictured a cabinet expressly designed for flammable materials. But you're so smart…

 

[Tirod]

Aside from the Landlord Tenant covenants, there is also zoning and housing regulations. A search of your local regs will find out if there is something the Fire Chief has concerns over - and if he/she doesn't, then you have an ally to counterbalance the rep.

The situation raises questions about storage and the makeup of where the actual loading is done. Is the bench on carpeting? That isn't considered a good practice. Is the lead melting pot used out of the garage where fumes cannot track back into the building by the prevailing wind? That standoff distance is likely the same as the setback a petroleum powered generator is required to comply with, to prevent exhaust from getting in under the roof line. And are other tenants in the same building. "Home" implies it's a standalone rental, sure, but if it's a duplex, then consideration and different standards come into play.

I agree, this isn't so much about it being an "anti gunner" as it is someone who might be predisposed that way, and then seeing evidence they are right. It very much is their house, their rules, which has always been and always will be the conflict point between renters and owners.

Reload in your own house, you can blow it up all you want. If the bank is paid off.

 

[gamestalker]

The only real viable concerns I would have a property manager, is the lead melting and how the primers are stored. Especially so the lead.

But until you can either find another roof to put over your head, I would do some research as to what your specific legal rights are. Also read your lease agreement to see if it contains any specific wording that restrict such activities on the property.

GS