Tenant Rights Re: Referrals

[lbush]

HISTORY: We are currently renting from an apartment complex in OHIO, and the leasor has renewed our lease once and called to renew our lease again (approx. 4 weeks ago), even discussing possible new monthly rental rates. Due to a need to relocate we have turned in a 60 day notice, and started looking for a new apartment. Now we are being notified by perspective leasors that we have a "poor rental history" and that our current leasor is stating that they would not lease to us again. We have always been prompt and on time with our rent so we contacted our current leasor. Our current leaser has now informed us that we have several noise complaints (two at this writing)against us from one tenant. We as the leasee have never been notified of this or recieved anything in writing regarding this. When we question our leasor on this they indicate that they placed a letter on our door and a letter in our file(that we have no access to). Truthfully, we have received nothing on our door or through the mail regarding this from our leaser. Currently, the story keeps changing based on which representative of the apt. complex we talk to and we seem to be getting the runaround. We feel that since our leaser has never properly contacted, notified, or addressed this situation with us as the leasee, until after a 60 day notification to terminate our lease, that this is malicious slander to cause harm and to prevent us in finding new housing or renting from another realtor. Addtionally, our current leasor is now willing to renew our lease and move us to a new building (something that has never been mentioned prior to this situation) even though they are telling perspective leasors that they would not renew.

QUESTION: Could this be considered slander/defamation of character since they never properly contacted us on the alleged allogations which are based on unvalidated hearsay? What are our rights as tenants regarding this situation?