I've lived in a duplex for 1 year and 8 months (in South Carolina). During that time, the property manager was fired and the owner took over as our landlord. When signing the 2nd lease, the property manager (Jim) told us that if we needed to move before our lease was up as long as we gave him 30 day notice, it would be sufficient.
The property owner (Jo) who is a busy body and is constantly coming over to snoop around the house and check the condition (which is perfectly fine) told my husband on the phone that she would see what she could do as far as getting the duplex rented. Never said anything about penalties, etc. She said she wanted our notice in writing so she could put a for rent sign in the yard. She also said she would want to show the place if anyone was interested (is that legal since we still live there and have paid this month?).
I got an email from Jo today saying that she was sorry about our financial difficulties but she would have to hold us responsible for rent til March (when our lease is up). In the email she stated she didnt have anyone interested in the place and it was just a bad time for finding renters.
So we got our lease out and there is absolutely nothing saying that we would be responsible for all months remaining in the lease. The most it says is that if we had to vacate the premise 1 month's rent would be charged to us, not exceeding $1600. and that the security deposit could be applied toward that.
My question is this...can she take us to court or turn us into a credit bureau if we dont pay rent thru march 2011. I mean, if we could pay rent thru march, we wouldnt have to move out of the place. We were trying to do the responsible thing by giving her the notice we were told we could give (even though it was to the other guy that she fired).
Is she bluffing because she was sweet on the phone and then 11 days later she's sending demanding emails?? AND can she show the duplex while we're still occupying it. She cant expect to have us move out on the 1st and immediately move the next tenants in, right?
Thanks for the answers. Both very helpful!
Also, 2 months ago she came in to inspect the duplex and she asked us if we had painted one of the bedrooms (which we hadnt). It's a terrible peach color that was there when we first moved in. We told her no and she said okay. The place wasnt clean when we moved in and there were stains on the carpet which the old property mgr Jim had made mention. I have receipts from carpet cleaners we paid and also from a lady who came in to clean the kitchen and bathroom. I didnt take pictures then but also didnt sign off on a walk thru sheet. Would a judge hold us responsible if she were to say we made damages to the duplex even when she very obviously has no idea of the move in condition we were rented?
we were desperate for a place when we moved to the state which is why we agreed to move in and do the cleaning ourselves.
i love people who have nothing better to do on a friday night than to get on yahoo answers and be sarcastic. hmm...maybe that's why youre at home answering questions on yahoo answers sarcastically...it's a vicious cycle you see. but on topic...
*I expect her to rent it AFTER i vacate the property. I'm not in any way partnered with her on finding new tenants. That's her job as a property owner.
*AND there is nothing stating penalty charges or cancelation charges. Only that if I were to vacate before the lease is up I would be responsible for 1 months rent (not to exceed 1600$). and i will be going over the lease with a lawyer to better explain and make sure i've not missed anything. Thanks to the 1st two answers.
The property owner (Jo) who is a busy body and is constantly coming over to snoop around the house and check the condition (which is perfectly fine) told my husband on the phone that she would see what she could do as far as getting the duplex rented. Never said anything about penalties, etc. She said she wanted our notice in writing so she could put a for rent sign in the yard. She also said she would want to show the place if anyone was interested (is that legal since we still live there and have paid this month?).
I got an email from Jo today saying that she was sorry about our financial difficulties but she would have to hold us responsible for rent til March (when our lease is up). In the email she stated she didnt have anyone interested in the place and it was just a bad time for finding renters.
So we got our lease out and there is absolutely nothing saying that we would be responsible for all months remaining in the lease. The most it says is that if we had to vacate the premise 1 month's rent would be charged to us, not exceeding $1600. and that the security deposit could be applied toward that.
My question is this...can she take us to court or turn us into a credit bureau if we dont pay rent thru march 2011. I mean, if we could pay rent thru march, we wouldnt have to move out of the place. We were trying to do the responsible thing by giving her the notice we were told we could give (even though it was to the other guy that she fired).
Is she bluffing because she was sweet on the phone and then 11 days later she's sending demanding emails?? AND can she show the duplex while we're still occupying it. She cant expect to have us move out on the 1st and immediately move the next tenants in, right?
Thanks for the answers. Both very helpful!
Also, 2 months ago she came in to inspect the duplex and she asked us if we had painted one of the bedrooms (which we hadnt). It's a terrible peach color that was there when we first moved in. We told her no and she said okay. The place wasnt clean when we moved in and there were stains on the carpet which the old property mgr Jim had made mention. I have receipts from carpet cleaners we paid and also from a lady who came in to clean the kitchen and bathroom. I didnt take pictures then but also didnt sign off on a walk thru sheet. Would a judge hold us responsible if she were to say we made damages to the duplex even when she very obviously has no idea of the move in condition we were rented?
we were desperate for a place when we moved to the state which is why we agreed to move in and do the cleaning ourselves.
i love people who have nothing better to do on a friday night than to get on yahoo answers and be sarcastic. hmm...maybe that's why youre at home answering questions on yahoo answers sarcastically...it's a vicious cycle you see. but on topic...
*I expect her to rent it AFTER i vacate the property. I'm not in any way partnered with her on finding new tenants. That's her job as a property owner.
*AND there is nothing stating penalty charges or cancelation charges. Only that if I were to vacate before the lease is up I would be responsible for 1 months rent (not to exceed 1600$). and i will be going over the lease with a lawyer to better explain and make sure i've not missed anything. Thanks to the 1st two answers.