MyFox
 

godslink's Blog

by godslink from Cleveland Ohio

Last Post 252 days, 20 hours Ago


Unfair Landlords
Jun 7, 2007 | 4:02 PM
Category: News
Report This Post

My husband and I recently bought our first home. We had rented the same two family house since we had married three years ago. The house was in a nice area and a nice place. When we moved into the house we always had the dream of owning our own. We had some neighbors move in who had alot of children and were very noisy which helped us make the decision that it was time to find our home. We called our landlord when we realized that the house would be financed and we would be closing. We gave him 30 day notice of our intent to move, at the end of our thirty days we cleaned the house, turned in our keys and gave a forwarding address. The landlord told us that a 30 day notice was not sufficent that according to a lease agreement that we signed 3 years ago ( a one year lease), that we owed him a half of months rent. Because of fueding with him, he will not allow us to have access to the gas meter to have our gas taken out of our name.  What do we do?
6 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 6
Page 1 of 1
jclguru read my blog
Jun 7, 2007 | 5:42 PM

Seems pretty clear cut to me. You broke the lease.

Sounds like you're getting off easy by him only
wanting half a months rent vs what he could've
wanted, which would've been the rent for the
remaining months of the lease.

Pay.
girlscout read my blog view my photos
Jun 7, 2007 | 8:35 PM

I'm not getting something right here. If you signed a 1 year lease 3 years ago, what's been going on for the last 2 years? Have you been just living there without a lease for the last 2 years? If so, then I think the law sees that as a month to month lease, therefore you should not be penalized for half a month's rent as long as you gave 30 day's notice. Correct me if I'm reading your blog wrong.
Motox99 read my blog view my photos
Jun 7, 2007 | 10:05 PM

I have to agree with girlscout, if you were on a month to month, and that's what it sounds like. You did state at the end of the 30 days you cleaned out and turned in the keys. I'm taking this was done before the actual end of the 30 period. Right?! The only way I could see them keeping anything is if you waited until the 30th day to finish the cleaning and turned in the keys a couple days late. Other than that I can't see why or how they can do this to you, unless there was unusual damage. Is there any way to talk to the Gas Co and ask them what to do. Maybe show them proof of redidency at your new home. Not sure what that would do but at least it could be on record they were notified and when they were notified. Just my opinion and thoughts though. Best of luck to you! And I'm sorry to hear your having such a hard time. Keep us posted on what happens.
clevebtch read my blog view my photos
Jun 8, 2007 | 8:23 AM

This is a hard call without knowing the particulars of the one year lease you signed three years ago. Was there language that the lease would actually expire after 12 months without further execution of another document? Did it state that it was an ongoing lease until you signed a termination agreement?

If the original lease did expire after 12 months, then it should be considered that you were on a month to month basis and if you did give a 30-day notice, then nothing further should be owed to the landlord.

If, however, you and your landlord verbally agreed to anything upon the expiration of the original lease, this could create some very difficult issues to prove in court. Verbal agreements are tough to fight because of the "his word against their word" scenario. It may not be worth fighting in court and could cost you more than what the landlord is demanding.

Whatever happens, best of luck and I hope you guys can resolve the issue amicably and in a civilized manner!
Jenna13marino read my blog view my photos
Jun 8, 2007 | 11:56 AM

Girlscout is rright. If ther was no lease signed after you 1 year lease expired, at that time you were going month to month. I would say spent the 75 bucks and file in small claims court. Sound like he's bitter because he lost you as renters. Also try to contact the gas company and let them be aware of the situation. They should be able to send out a meter read to get the reading for you. He has to let the gas company in, ya know.
godslink read my blog
Jun 8, 2007 | 3:26 PM

Our lease expired after one year. Following the expiration of the lease, we went on a month to month basis. He is just mad that we moved and trying to be vindictive. He still won't let us in to get our gas shut off. I did call the gas company and also sent both of them a certified letter. The gas company said that the issue is between us and the property owner. All I want is the gas out of our names because the meter is inside the house and they can't access it unless someone lets them in. Thanks everyone for your comment. I just have one more. It seems unfair that if you tell a utility company that you do not live there anymore and can prove it, they still say that you are responsible until they can physically get to the meter. It seems like something if wrong with that picture... I am the consumer!
Page 1 of 1


Write your comment below:




godslink

I am a Chemical Dependency Counselor in the Greater Cleveland area. I love the outdoors, being with my family and traveling. I am originally from St.Paul Minnesota and have lived in Cleveland for quite some time. I am married and have one adult child. I love to debate, and can use this to voice my opinion.

Member Since: 6/7/2007


 

RSS: XMLWhat is RSS?