Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California
Landlord Refuses to Issue Key to a Leased Apartment
On 08 March 2005, my daugter signed a lease for an apartment with me and my wife as co-signers. I gave the apartment manager a check for the first month's rent and the security deposit. On 09 March 2005, we moved my daughter's belongings into the apartment. After moving in, we were informed by the apartment manager that she was instructed not to let us have the key by the COO of the property management company. Is this a legal action?
Background: My daughter leased another apartment managed by the same company with two friends. A dispute arose between her friends and the landlord. While we were aware of the dispute, ny daughter were not informed about the resolution of the dispute until she was told that she needed to move out the next day, a Friday.
The landlord offered my daughter a studio apartment. We accepted the offer. Friday evening we were informed that she couldn't move into the apartment until a release agreement had been signed.
Now the landlord refuses to release the key although there is nothing in the release agreement that links the leasing of the apartment to the dispute.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Landlord Refuses to Issue Key to a Leased Apartment
I'm not sure where this case stands now. Is your daughter allowed into the apartment, or is it just that you and your wife cannot have a key? If you signed a lease and paid the first month's rent, the apartment is yours. They must give you a key and if they do not, they must return ALL of your money. If they are demanding that your daughter sign a release for the previous issue, read it carefully and call me so we can discuss this further. I need to know the contents of the release and the story about the prior dispute. (310) 806-9237