Moves Into A New Place And The Owners Are Already Acting Against Our Rights

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

My friend, my brother and I just moved into a new place. It was shown as a single family home with an outside entrance to the basement which we were told we wouldn’t have access to but were told it was for the owner’s storage. We applied and ended up signing a lease. A week before move we were told the owners would be replacing the floor. It had original hardwood floor which was part of the selling point for us so we were concerned. We were told it was to help with insulation. We let it go.

A couple days go by and they tell us they will be installing a shed that we will not have access to. We voiced concerns about the already small square footage of the yard. Also about how we didn’t want them coming and going as they pleased. We were met with a response saying they would give ample warning if they were to access the shed. They ended up not going through with the shed because of our concerns citing they “want to start on the right foot”

Now comes moving day… as we are moving in the owner comes out of the basement. Asking if we’re the new tenants. She then proceeded to come in and out with her dog the whole day. And we have dogs (well behaved and friendly) but we shouldn’t have to accommodate her and her dog when this is supposed to be our space. If they understand to give notice to use a shed (that didn’t happen) how do you not understand you can’t live in our basement?

We tried to set up our internet and we couldn’t because she didn’t want to give up her account on the house so now we’re expected to get a more expensive.

Now it’s been 4 days into our lease and it appears they are staying in the basement. They have been in and out all the time. Even been getting large Amazon packages delivered under our address. We are supposed to have full access to the driveway and backyard which has to be crossed to access the basement door. We have concerns they are going to rent it out as an Airbnb. It explicitly says in our lease that we have the only rights to stay here. We want to stay but the violations are piling up so much after only a few days.

Please any advice would help. We love the place and location but we’re at such a loss because we love the space and location it’s just not at all what was promised. Will send a copy of the lease if needed.