J
jyssilly
Guest
What is the name of your state? Massachusetts
I'm trying to find out some information on my parents' behalf.
They recently rented a house in August, lease started Sept 1. The family was moving from Indiana, and never saw the place until they moved in (basically signed the lease as they moved in) but because they were desperate to find a place, sent relatives to check it out. They sent several recommendations, credit reports, employer recommendations etc (all un-asked-for).
They agreed to a $2000/month rent (as listed in the newspaper ad) and paid $2000 security deposit. They were NOT able to pay the last-month's rent, so my parents had a verbal agreement with them to pay an extra $100/month starting in October. They signed a 1-year lease.
On Nov 3, my father called to make sure some repairs had been done (some plumbing) and since my parents had been out of town, also mentioned they hadn't received November's rent (due on the 1st, 5 day grace period). The wife of the family went crazy and said he was "harassing" her and the rent wasn't due for another 2 days.
Then, a 2 days later, the tenant (wife) calls to say, they are moving out, said she refused to pay November's rent and then just hung up. My mother tried to call her back to see what had happened and if something had gone wrong to make them just suddenly move out, but the tenant just said we'll be out by Nov 15th. Checking the house on the 16th, they were indeed gone, no forwarding address, and left the house a mess. The tenant did randomly place an ad in the newspaper to try to help re-rent the place, but the ad was only placed for 1 week.
What recourse do my parents have? They are afraid to sue because of the legal costs and time involved. Also, is there any way the tenants have any real case to break the lease? The property was well maintained.
Currently, my parents are trying to re-rent the place.
Thanks for any help!!
Jen
I'm trying to find out some information on my parents' behalf.
They recently rented a house in August, lease started Sept 1. The family was moving from Indiana, and never saw the place until they moved in (basically signed the lease as they moved in) but because they were desperate to find a place, sent relatives to check it out. They sent several recommendations, credit reports, employer recommendations etc (all un-asked-for).
They agreed to a $2000/month rent (as listed in the newspaper ad) and paid $2000 security deposit. They were NOT able to pay the last-month's rent, so my parents had a verbal agreement with them to pay an extra $100/month starting in October. They signed a 1-year lease.
On Nov 3, my father called to make sure some repairs had been done (some plumbing) and since my parents had been out of town, also mentioned they hadn't received November's rent (due on the 1st, 5 day grace period). The wife of the family went crazy and said he was "harassing" her and the rent wasn't due for another 2 days.
Then, a 2 days later, the tenant (wife) calls to say, they are moving out, said she refused to pay November's rent and then just hung up. My mother tried to call her back to see what had happened and if something had gone wrong to make them just suddenly move out, but the tenant just said we'll be out by Nov 15th. Checking the house on the 16th, they were indeed gone, no forwarding address, and left the house a mess. The tenant did randomly place an ad in the newspaper to try to help re-rent the place, but the ad was only placed for 1 week.
What recourse do my parents have? They are afraid to sue because of the legal costs and time involved. Also, is there any way the tenants have any real case to break the lease? The property was well maintained.
Currently, my parents are trying to re-rent the place.
Thanks for any help!!
Jen