Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Maryland

I didn't sign the lease am I responsible for out of the blue problems?

I just received a summons to appear in court because of an ex-landlords claims and the fact that she is now filing a judgement against me because of damage she claims was done to her rental property exactly one year ago by a cat. I am over the age of 21 and my mother signed the lease and listed my name as a tenant, I never signed the lease. While it is true we own a cat, the ''damage'' she says was an oder of cat urine which she is now charging me for new carpeting in three rooms,woodwork,odor remover, lost rent while she made above repairs and her daycare bill for her children, totaling $8000.00. Also, she did a detailed walk through inspection a week before we left and said that the only thing to be done was a routine wash of the deck and we heard not another word for an entire year. The carpeting was not new when we moved in in fact she resided there for nine years with cat of her own. We lived there for two years.


Asked on 2/28/02, 9:12 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Joseph Trevino Law Offices of Joseph A. Trevino

Re: I didn't sign the lease am I responsible for out of the blue problems?

It is a familiar story: The landlord wants to renovate at the expense of the last tenant. Sounds like overreaching to me. Normal wear and tear is not charged to the tenant; it's part of doing business. I am sure she has a lawyer presenting the suit? the other problem is whether they can even legally sue you directly without bringing your mom in as a necessary party. You should get good legal advice before you go to court. It's not that simple. Same goes for the landlord, it won't be that easy.As a rule of thumb, it she has a lawyer, you are at a disadvantage. Good luck.

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Answered on 2/28/02, 10:27 pm


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