OT Lawyers--Landlord/Tenant Question

Legally, the landlord can do what he wants as long he complies with the terms of the contract you entered. But, you know that already. It sounds like you are mainly worried about the credit score issue. Since you don't really have any legal recourse, my advice would be to reach out to the landlord and see if he will negotiate the exit fees. As a landlord he may be receptive to your request if you return the premises to him without any damage caused by the pet--since he's keeping the security deposit already. At least I would as a landlord. Otherwise, if you skip out on the money, you'll likely get hounded for a while. Depending on how much of an a-hole he is, you could also be facing a small claims court judgment. A lot of times landlords are well versed in taking people to small claims or justice of the peace courts. The main thing I would worry about is the negative reference on your credit and rental history. I rent a couple of small houses, and I routinely get queries from lending agencies and other landlords seeking information about former tenants who are seeking either a loan for buying a new house or even for just moving into a new apartment. Just last week I got a request like that for some tenants who lived in the house back around 2006. Between that possibility and the credit score issue you mentioned, I would strongly recommend trying to negotiate something with the landlord rather than just skipping out.

At that rate, seven weeks early - 1 month penalty rent - 25% of the three weeks, you are practically paying out your lease. Not to mention he already has the place rented again.

I would sit down with him/her, in person and not email or phone, and explain your view on things. Your only leverage is to state that at the rate you are being charged you are going to go ahead and pay out the remainder of the lease and not allow the new tenant to take occupancy. I am sure they already have a new lease with that person so now they have to deal with that. Seems like fair would be for you to pay full rent up until the new tenants take occupancy.

Be a man and go talk with them instead of resorting to lawyer letter writing. Beta.

Is the landlord a management company that manages an apartment complex or is it an individual who just rents out one or two rent houses? If it's an individual, he's probably not going to bother reporting you to any credit rating companies.

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It's just 7 weeks. Do not vacate until the end of the term. The LL needs to suck the big one and you'll be cock blocking their double rent. 

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winner winner chicken dinner

Did the landlord take rent or a buyout penalty?

We can't charge double rent, so if you skip you are only charged until re-rented. If you do a buyout, the money paid is the equivalent of one or 2 months rent (depending on which lease you are in) and is not actually rent at all. This is stated in the form you sign for early termination. Not rent.

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the landlord will be receiving double rent. I believe that this is unethical and immoral, if not illegal.

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Coming from a lease skipper. Man how rich is that@

so what are you going to do?

I would just stay at my apartment u til the lease runs out. gives plenty of time to settle in you new house. why pay rent plus 25% or whatever. just pay normal. you arent getting deposit back so dont overly clean. probably a good time to go through all your crap and "clean house" so to say

I can't just stay until the end of my original lease because I have already declared in writing my intent to leave on a certain date. I was also willing to eat whatever fees were imposed. However, three people who work at the complex have told me my apartment has already been rented and the manager did not deny it when confronted about it. Management is a giant management company and their attitude is " sucks to be you".

So I'm guessing that by calling it a "penalty" they are in the clear.

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I have already declared in writing my intent to leave on a certain date.

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And I'm guessing they "declared in writing" tough shite.

read something before you sign it.

I like where this thread is going.