Lawsuit over property damage.?

Question

I am being sued by a landlord that says I have damaged her property with pets. The property was unrentable when I got it, which i got very cheap $50 a month. She is trying to sue me for $3999. The apt was for approx 50 tropical birds, she was a vet and keeps approx 25-50 dogs under the apt I rent. Their smell has become unbearable. Any thoughts?

I didnt break the lease I got a letter from her lawyer today saying the lease had been terminated. She has a history of suing people. The birds were caged.

It wasnt decent enough for a family to live in, we fed and watered the birds daily. It was more than fine for the birds. The dogs and cats (downstairs) were taken care of until her father died, after that is when the smell became unbearable. The dogs and cats never see the light of day.

The apt before we used it had been vacant for many years. She had stated she wasnt going to rent it again.

Answer 1

Have the landlord explain in writing what you did that damaged her property. $4000 is more than 6 year's rent. That seems a bit excessive, but that could be a fair price to make the repairs for any damage you did.

Why did you rent from her if the place was unrentable? When you say it 'was for approx. 50 tropical birds', do you mean that was the use before you rented it or what use you put it to? What condition was the apartment in when you got it and what improvements have you made?

Unless she is running a licensed kennel below your apartment, the Humane Society and city ordinances will have some say in the matter of that many dogs under one roof. Do not call them on this unless you have no other recourse. Try to work with the landlord to make the situation a happy one, but try finding a new place for your ease of mind.

Answer 2

She can sue you for whatever she wants. The question is can she prove that you are responsible and thus liable for the damage to the tune of $3999. You have not provided enough information for anyone to give you even a general opinion about whether she could be successful.

Also, you rented a place in horrible condition, based on your information. You therefore got a good deal but should have been very careful to document the exact condition when you began the lease to avoid being saddled with any claims of damage.

Since you claim the smell has become unbearable, are you trying to break the lease as well? Are some of the costs involved in the $3999 figure based on breaking the lease?

Answer 3

I tell all the people I know to take pictures before you move in an apartment. Write down all the things that are broken and needs fixing. You give a copy of this list to your landlord and keep one copy for yourself.
Now, all you can do is hire a lawyer to protect you from being sued. I would also call the town you live in and file a complaint about the animals. You maybe able to call animal control..
Having that many animals is not safe for the animals, and it's a rental building. If the animals are inside the house without any room to go outside, (the dogs), then it is cruel for them to be kept in a apt.
The smell, is a not only smelly but can be a health risk to you and anyone else living in that apt building.