We moved to NC three months ago and rented a house for a fixed term of 12 months. We are forced to move back?

Question

to Florida where our home is (which didnt sell) pay back my husband employer $5000 for helping us with the rent and on the top of it the landlord doesnt want to return our calls for 2 weeks now (since we let them know about us moving). We called, emailed, certified mail but no answer. We even talked with the owner of the house who is the manager sister but with no luck. She showed no interest in helping us and today we found out that she is a lawyer. What a mess! We would have liked to offer a buy out since we let them "up and dry" and they have our security deposit $1500 but we cannot get them to return our calls. On the top of everything since we moved in we found out that we have rats, we told them, they sent out Orkin who said they will come back with baits (they never did). The landlord never followed up and we made another complaint about three weeks ago with no return call or action. We have a toddler and a dog that we are concerned about. What to do?

Answer 1

since the landlord relative is a lawyer they are going to go by the book and milk you for every dime it seems like

while you have a legal signed contract for a year term, there is what is called a duty to mitigate your damage meaning when you leave the landlord has a duty to mitigate their damage and begin the process to find another renter, they can not just do nothing and keep billing you for rent

Answer 2

If you have rats, that is a health issue. Call the local health department, get something in writing from Orkin about when they were called and when they came out, after you get that then send the landlord a letter by certified mail that youa re breaking your lease on grounds of them not providing a safe and habitable place to leave.

DOCUMENT EVERYTHING, dates times who you talked to what they said and don't get into an argument

Answer 3

I've seen those who move in the middle of the night.
For the LL to pursue you out of state is costly.

Answer 4

sounds like they are gonna keep your 1500,and dont be surprized to get a letter from a attorney demanding the rest of the lease term money....................send a certified letter with your intentions,it will help you....