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pwrman04
Guest
What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Ohio
I rented an apartment on Jan 4, 2003 with a friend. We both signed the lease. I moved out on May of 2003, without giving notice to the landlord(my dumb mistake). My friend and I had a verbal agreement that he would take care of the rent and I would not have to pay my half(he had other people living with him at the time). Now I am being sued by the landlord because my friend didn't pay the rent in Jan of 2004. The lease was up on Jan 31 2004. He did receive an eviction notice dated Jan 8, 2004. Now the problem is, I was not aware he did not pay the rent and now late fees have been applied to the balance due which are $17.00 a day. I was not aware of this situation, if I had been I could have lended him money to help him out. The Landlord just sent me a collections notice on May 15. They have never contacted me before this, if they had I would have paid it for my friend. My question is that why are they just contacting me now? Why was I not informed before so I could have a chance to clear up the matter and pay the rent? I am going to see a lawyer next week, any advice in getting out of the late fees? I would be willing to pay the $510.00 or half for that matter since my friend is responsible also. What, if any, loop holes can I use to get the payment lowered? Also, on the copy of my friend's eviction notice that I received, it states that there could be damage charges added to the lawsuit, but damages couldn't be assessed until the apartment was empty, I know my friend was living with his brother after Feb 2004. So how can it take from Jan 8 2004 until May 21 2004 to assess any damages? And am I responsible for the damage charges if I was not living there to ccause them? Can I fight this part in court? Thanks, sorry this is lengthy but it is a rather complicated situation.
I rented an apartment on Jan 4, 2003 with a friend. We both signed the lease. I moved out on May of 2003, without giving notice to the landlord(my dumb mistake). My friend and I had a verbal agreement that he would take care of the rent and I would not have to pay my half(he had other people living with him at the time). Now I am being sued by the landlord because my friend didn't pay the rent in Jan of 2004. The lease was up on Jan 31 2004. He did receive an eviction notice dated Jan 8, 2004. Now the problem is, I was not aware he did not pay the rent and now late fees have been applied to the balance due which are $17.00 a day. I was not aware of this situation, if I had been I could have lended him money to help him out. The Landlord just sent me a collections notice on May 15. They have never contacted me before this, if they had I would have paid it for my friend. My question is that why are they just contacting me now? Why was I not informed before so I could have a chance to clear up the matter and pay the rent? I am going to see a lawyer next week, any advice in getting out of the late fees? I would be willing to pay the $510.00 or half for that matter since my friend is responsible also. What, if any, loop holes can I use to get the payment lowered? Also, on the copy of my friend's eviction notice that I received, it states that there could be damage charges added to the lawsuit, but damages couldn't be assessed until the apartment was empty, I know my friend was living with his brother after Feb 2004. So how can it take from Jan 8 2004 until May 21 2004 to assess any damages? And am I responsible for the damage charges if I was not living there to ccause them? Can I fight this part in court? Thanks, sorry this is lengthy but it is a rather complicated situation.