Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

I recently move out of my apartment on a saturday. I was completely moved out on the day we needed to be. Since it was a weekend I returned the keys to her on monday when she was available in her office since it was closed on the weekend. Can my landlord legally charge me rent for the two days she didnt have the keys when it landed on the weekend and i had no way to return them. She said i should have put them in the mailbox but i had no idea i was supposed to do that so i waited to hand them to her. I dont kno if i need to just pay the money or tell her we were moved out on the day and had the keys ready for her when she was there on monday.


Asked on 6/03/11, 10:53 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Bryan Whipple Bryan R. R. Whipple, Attorney at Law

Unless your lease contained a provision requiring return of the keys as a specific act to signify your departure from possession, I'd say you have complied and do not owe for two days. This may not be worth a small-claims suit or a possible bad credit report. 1/15th of a month's rent isn't going to bankrupt you, I hope. My inclination would be to tell her, here's your money, but I think you're a ...... (fill in the blank yourself).

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Answered on 6/03/11, 9:16 pm


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