Well I'm Moving

[greekislandgirl]

I've rented my entire adult life and I've only had one over-the-top lease - I actually lived there 4 years and it was a fantastic house but the landlord was a nightmare.

That lease sounds awful. You definitely did the right thing by leaving and I agree 100% with the advice to take photos and all that. I did that, I probably took 100 photos, and I still had a problem. My landlord had charged me upfront 1st and last months' rent and security deposit (equiv. to a month's rent). After the first year, he raised the rent by $100. When I left, I didn't pay the last month's rent because I had already paid it upfront. He came after me for the $100 that he said I owed from the rent increase. My stance was that "last month's rent" was paid in full when he (illegally in that city) demanded it up front.

We got into a huge battle about it and unfortunately my mother - who had cosigned for the lease as I was just out of college - caved after I left the country and she sent him the $100 along with a letter telling him that he should be ashamed of himself LOL!! (He was a young guy, early 30s, and hated being a landlord but loved the money.)

Anyway sorry to go on and on... just wanting to say BE CAREFUL, as soon as you are not giving them money, they will look for a way to get one last big of cash off of you.

[Debbie-cat]

Wow! I am so glad you are moving and that something was available. Those rules almost seem illegal! Good luck with your move and hugs!

[Josephhgoins]

I was reading the lease to the new place yesterday evening. It’s clauses deal with things like telling me I can’t complain when the neighbors cook something stinky and that occasionally they will have loud guests and as long as it’s just occasionally I will have to live with it. (written nicer of course)

Basically, making it a live and let live complex which I fully believe in. The only pet restriction is that I have to put it on my list of pets and they reserve the right to limit any pet they consider dangerous.

No clauses saying I can’t have gerbils, keep things in my closet or have a grill.

They even called to welcome me!

[WV_mom_of2]

When you are ready to move make sure you do a walk through with the current landlords! Clean it up, take pictures, etc but you need a walk through with them and you need them to sign a paper saying it's ok and they release you from any further liability. Otherwise they can keep your security deposit!