johnston@uiucdcsb.Uiuc.ARPA (08/13/85)
When you signed the lease you signed a contract saying that you agreed
to pay a certain amount of money per month up to and including Jan. 31,
1986. It seems to me then that you are responsible for all of the
rent independent of any damage deposit. *If* the landlord is a nice
person, he/she may let you off the hook. READ YOUR LEASE CAREFULLY!
You may be liable for the rent even if the landlord rents out your
apartment to someone else for the same months!
On a positive note, leases "often" are just "standard" forms
that landlords use. Some of the clauses in the lease may not be
legally binding. This depends on your state and local laws. See a
lawyer if you need to. There may also be a "Tenant Union" or something
like that in your area which you can call for cheap/free advice.
- Gary "Not a lawyer" Johnston
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ARPA: johnston@uiuc.arpawjh@bonnie.UUCP (Bill Hery) (08/20/85)
> > Too bad, but the renter is at a disadvantage from the word > > go. > > As a former renter and now a (reluctant) landlord, I'd like to > correct this statement. > > "The honest renter or honest landlord is at a disadvantage from > the word go." > > Unfortunately for the landlord, he has very little power to select his > tenants because the "equal housing opportunity" laws are so broad. If > someone shows up, offers to rent the property, and provides the required > deposits, the landlord doesn't have much basis on which he can refuse to > rent them the property. > Can't the landlord insist on (and check) references--previous landlord, employer, etc.? Bill Hery