Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Maryland

Can an apt complex bill me for a month past my leases expiration date even though I moved out before the expiration and left a 30 day notice to move instead of a 60 day notice? Can they keep my $350 security deposit as payment toward this bill even though I left the apt. cleaner than when i moved in? The reason I moved was because the rent was going to go up $185 and I was barely affording the 1 yr lease price. So I had to find a place to live as soon as possible and when I did, I gave them my written notice. I had been into the office on 3 different occasions prior to my lease expiring to ask them if my rent was going up and if so, how was I supposed to give 2 months notice if I didn't know if I was moving or not and got no answers from anyone. I was writing to you to find out if i should dispute the bill and go to court before I wrote back to the collection agency. I only have 30 days now 10 to let them know if i want to dispute this bill. I also would like to know that since the bill has gone to collections, and I have since gotten married, can they make my husband pay for my debt if I cannot since i am not currently working? This took place in Md. Thank, Sharon


Asked on 3/14/11, 12:11 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Phillip M. Cook Cook Legal Services, LLC

Sharon, you are out of luck. If you signed a lease saying you would give 60 days notice, that's how much you have to give, regardless of your personal circumstances. Should the landlord be responsible to make sure that you don't pay double rent? I don't think so. Happens to a lot of people -- the timing of a move and giving notice sometimes overlaps. In short, you landlord is doing nothing wrong under the law.

Best of luck.******The above is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client privilege.******

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Answered on 3/14/11, 1:52 pm


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