Rent/Legal Question

Riverman · #1 06-02-2006, 11:19 AM

I currently live in DC. I recently was accepted to law school somewhere else (although had I not been accepted I would have gone in DC). So I called the rent office at my apartment and told them I would be vacating the apartment when the lease ran out (July 13). They tell me since I didn't give them 60 days notice, I have to pay through the end of July even though I will be moving out July 13. Is this legal, and is there any way to avoid paying the rent for the 2nd half of July?

Elevens · #2 06-02-2006, 11:20 AM

Probably not.

bisonbison · #3 06-02-2006, 11:20 AM

Time to read your lease.

Howard Beale · #4 06-02-2006, 11:26 AM

I'm surprised that you have a lease that runs out in the middle of the month but to answer your quesiton:

You have to read the lease. It will (I'm assuming) cover this scenario regarding any required notice. If there is no language regarding any notice I don't think you have to pay.

Another thought:

If your lease ends on July 13 then your monthly payment should be due June 13. This doesn't sound right. As a practical matter you could just pay on June 13 (it still doesn't sound right) and move out on July 13 and ignore their rent demand. What are they going to do? Sue you for a half-month rent?

Riverman · #5 06-02-2006, 11:41 AM

The reason it runs out in the middle of the month is because we moved in in the middle of the month. However, I do pay rent on the first of the month. So my inclination is to just write them a check prorated to cover the first 13 days of July, vacate, and assume they will not pursue legal action over 2 weeks rent. My only concern is that this will eff up my credit. Is this a valid concern?

bisonbison · #6 06-02-2006, 11:42 AM

It's time to read your lease.

Shajen · #7 06-02-2006, 11:43 AM

Wow, 5 comments in and no one's told you to look at your lease yet.

[img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

bisonbison · #8 06-02-2006, 11:45 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Wow, 5 comments in and no one's told you to look at your lease yet.

[img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

He really should have posted this in the Q-Zone. You get better responses there.

turnipmonster · #9 06-02-2006, 12:24 PM

I don't know the deal in DC, but in nyc stuff like this is very standard and there's no way they'll take you to court over it, because they will lose the vast majority of the time and it's just not worth it.

turnipmonster · #10 06-02-2006, 12:26 PM

it's not going to eff up your credit.