Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Massachusetts

Crooked Landlord

My landlord is demanding $1400 from my housemates and myself 2 months after the lease is up and we have moved out. He claims we ''left it a mess'' when we left, but it was in better condition than when we received it! This landlord is so two-faced saying everything is ok and then stabbing his tenants in the back, as he has done it before. I feel he is just trying to take advantage of us college students as we don't know the laws and are constantly pre-occupied with financial aid, jobs, and schoolwork. Can he really demand this money after our lease is up and we no longer live there?


Asked on 7/21/08, 11:59 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Joseph Murray Joseph M. Murray, Esq.

Re: Crooked Landlord

Retain an attorney, especially if you were not asked to sign a statement of condition of the premises at the outset of the lease, as the landlord can only collect for damages beyond normal wear and tear, that were not listed on a statement of conditions signed by both parties at the outset of the lease. Good Luck!

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Answered on 7/21/08, 12:47 pm
Gregory Lee Gregory P. Lee, Attorney at Law

Re: Crooked Landlord

He can demand what he wants. Proving it -- at risk of a fraud counterclaim -- is another matter.

If you kept evidence of the property's condition, you should be fine.

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Answered on 7/21/08, 12:55 pm


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