Recently I've moved from the Philadelphia area out to Oklahoma. The background to this problem is the rental control renewed on a year to year basis, and it was set to expire at the end of July 2010. We ended up moving before the end of June and it was my understanding that I paid the rent up until the end of July 2010 and that the landlord would return whatever rent was left over when he found a tenant.
Earlier this month when I went to change the gas bill out of my name the customer rep informed me that someone had already changed it out of my name starting July 14th. At this point I felt that I could assume that the landlord had found a tenant and that I would be owed at least half of the last month's rent back. After speaking with the landlord today, he's telling me that the tenant only just moved in this weekend.
I guess here's the question, I feel that the change in ownership of the gas bill constitutes a change of responsibility of the property, I feel at that point the responsibility of the property is no longer mine. Is it right for the landlord to keep the remaining rent for that month?
Second question, the landlord is claiming that the carpet was stained and teared and he was unable to remove the stain with Stanley steamer. He is regretful that he did not take any pictures showing the stains.
Now we did take video before we left, and I do not remember there being any stains in the carpet before we left. The video isn't showing stains, but I will concede that stains probably won't show well, but I can see what is referring to as the tears. There are two 2 ft portions where some thread was pulled out. I'm curious if this damage constitutes enough to replace the entire room's carpet and not just patching that area. Is the benefit of the proof regarding the stains on my end or on his end?
I really don't want to make an enemy here, but I really feel like I might be going for a bit of a ride here.
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
Currently in Oklahoma, but was living in PA when this occurred.
Earlier this month when I went to change the gas bill out of my name the customer rep informed me that someone had already changed it out of my name starting July 14th. At this point I felt that I could assume that the landlord had found a tenant and that I would be owed at least half of the last month's rent back. After speaking with the landlord today, he's telling me that the tenant only just moved in this weekend.
I guess here's the question, I feel that the change in ownership of the gas bill constitutes a change of responsibility of the property, I feel at that point the responsibility of the property is no longer mine. Is it right for the landlord to keep the remaining rent for that month?
Second question, the landlord is claiming that the carpet was stained and teared and he was unable to remove the stain with Stanley steamer. He is regretful that he did not take any pictures showing the stains.
Now we did take video before we left, and I do not remember there being any stains in the carpet before we left. The video isn't showing stains, but I will concede that stains probably won't show well, but I can see what is referring to as the tears. There are two 2 ft portions where some thread was pulled out. I'm curious if this damage constitutes enough to replace the entire room's carpet and not just patching that area. Is the benefit of the proof regarding the stains on my end or on his end?
I really don't want to make an enemy here, but I really feel like I might be going for a bit of a ride here.
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
Currently in Oklahoma, but was living in PA when this occurred.