How can I prevent my credit from being affected after an eviction?

Question

I recently had a baby in july of 06 and ended up moving in with her dad. All the while I had been renting an apartment (lease started in 3/06, ending 3/07). Not knowing that it is mandatory that I keep the electric on, and being that I am never there, I let the electric Co disconnect. About two weeks after(10/24), my landlady called me to advise that me electric had been cut off and that I have to have it on. She told me that there is a 7 day eviction notice hanging on my door. I've always paid my rent on time and followed all the rules. I told her I didn't know that my electric had to be on and that I had no way of paying to get it turned back on until after the 7 days, she said she couldnt do anything about my situation. I've actually wanted to move out because that rent $$ would be extra $$ in my pocket, but I don't want to leave on bad terms. If I pay my rent for 11/06 and get evicted will my credit be ok? or am I obligated to pay rent til my lease is up?

Answer 1

An eviction is generally only part of your rental history, not yoru credit history.

Keep a record of your rent receipts and the reason for your eviction (the electricity) and supply it to a future apartment so they are aware of WHY you evicted --- not for non-payment.

Answer 2

Its too late to prevent anything now. You should have asked the landlord when you moved how much it would have cost to get out of your lease. The worst case would have been full rent for the remainder of the lease. You were planing to pay that anyway. If they had a waiting list, the would have given you a break to free up the apartment for a new tenant.

You said you didn't know you had to have the electric on. NEVER SIGN ANYTHING YOU HAVEN'T READ. I promise you the lease you signed spelled that out.

Answer 3

you can get out of that apartment but there is a fee of braking your lease. Talk to the landlord and ask her how much the penalty to brake the rent, that way you wont have any eviction in your record.
As far as the electric, if you dont have the money, you can call PG and E, and they can give you number to ask for help to pay for it. ( I live in Cal. and they have people to pay this kind of mess:one time deal)