early lease termination

[morrowrose]

we are terminating our lease early to buy a house. our lease agreement says we will owe one months rent, redecorating fee, forfiet our $530.00 deposit , and give a 30 day notice to vacate. Do they have the right to keep our deposit without applying it to any of the fees above? this is an apartment community in florida.

 

[happy&lucky]

well YOU DID sign the lease.........

you shoula taken these expenses as money owed and included it in figuing out how much money you would have to buy a house.

 

[morrowrose]

we did figure in these costs. but is it legal to keep a deposit whithout applying it to owed monies? we have never been late with rent and have a almost perfect apt. plus gave them the required 30day intent to vacate letter. we are model renters.

 

[happy&lucky]

You could try and sue them in small claims court and see what a judge thinks..

But you are dealing with a corporation and they have a right to be basstards.

But if it was a private landlord a judge might think he is trying to screw you.

 

[morrowrose]

your right, i guess it is better not to rock the boat so we don't end up with court costs and be responsible for rent until april. they totally have the ball in theiir court. thanks for your input!

 

[happy&lucky]

Make sure you get everything in writing, that the community release you from the lease in exchange for the fees..

Florida it seems is one of the few states where a landlord is NOT required to mitigate damages, eg: re rent asap. so it is possible for you to be held accountable for the rent until april ....But it is still illegal for them to re rent and collect FULL rent from 2 people on the same apartment though.

what a rotten state for tenants to live in!