We had a lease agreement with an apartment complex for 1 year, we fulfilled our lease agreement and signed a new lease agreement for the up-coming year,unfortunatly we had to break it 3 months & 11 days early as we purchased our first home. We handed our Apt. Manager our 30 day written notice they appeard to have no problems with this but did in fact tell us we'd have to pay close to 3000.00 in fees for breaking our lease...but also said "don't worry about it we'll work something out" a good 3 months went by and we heard nothing from anyone, We now have been getting calls from an aggressive collection agency wanting to recorver that $3000.00. Any suggestions or advice. We do feel we owe for the 3 months & 11 days we left early but they are seeking a thousand or so more $ than what our rent even would equal up to in 3 months time,adding consessions/breaking the lease fees etc,they say they will take us to court/garnish wages and put a lean on our house. HELP!!!
2007-06-15 04:41:49 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Actually this debt. has already been reported on my credit report by the collection agency.
2007-06-15 05:19:18 · update #1
Your lease was and is a legal and binding contract, which you are expected to honor until its expiry. You were informed at the time you vacated that you would have to pay $3000. Then you did not contact them at all to 'work out a payment arrangement' ? By saying 'we will work something out', the man meant that you would work out a payment arrangement.
Sounds to me like you ignored your debt, and the landlord came after you for what you owe. If you appear in court, the landlord will bring out your signed lease, and what will YOU bring out ? A plea for mercy ? You can seek the advice of an attorney, but I'm afraid the landlord has you over a barrel here.
2007-06-15 04:55:13 · answer #1 · answered by acermill 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alot depends on the what the lease stipulates, and where you live. Check out your local 'landlord and tenant act' to define what your rights are. The collection agency only has the 'power of harrasment' they can not force you to do anything, only a judge can do that. I would take the chance of going to small claims court with this and letting a judge decide. Make sure you track everything.
2007-06-15 04:46:22 · answer #2 · answered by snugg_bug 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need a lawyer to read your lease. this does seem excessive.....yes, you owe for the rent for the 3 months and 11 days, but that should be it. they have probably tacked on legal fees or something...
see a lawyer before it gets worse.
2007-06-15 04:45:25 · answer #3 · answered by intelligentbooklady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to find out if your landlord was able to rent out your apartment once you left. He can only claim losses incurred, so if he was able to rent the apartment out immediately, that could in fact be zero.
I'd also talk to a lawyer though, it'll be worth the money.
2007-06-15 04:46:06 · answer #4 · answered by Jason T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋