Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Virginia

In July 2013 I signed a lease for a town home to start on August 1, 2013 and terminate 31, 2014. In March 2014 I signed another lease for the same property to start on August 1, 2014 and terminate on July 31, 2015. On June 5, 2014 I submitted a letter to the owners property Managemebt company letting them know I would be terminating the lease and moving out July 31, 2014. The property manager told me she would have the property listed as soon as possible. However, it wasn't listed until July 14, 2014 when the owner submitted the signed contract to the listing agent.

Upon reading the move out documents I discovered a line that said I would be responsible for paying the rent until my lease expires and/or they find another tenant whichever comes first. As of today, July 24, 2014 there isn't anyone scheduled to move in.

Here are my questions: since I signed the lease to start August 1, 2014 am I bound by that lease? Or does my termination letter end my obligation? If I am bound by that lease should I be required to pay the rent when I have them ample enough time to list the property?

I am in Woodbridge, VA.

Thanks for your assistance.


Asked on 7/24/14, 8:56 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

1. Yes, you are bound (in my opinion) unless the new lease contains a provision that allows for a subsequent termination letter such as you submitted to abrogate it (this new lease).

2. Yes, the landlord appears to have made sufficient effort thus far in this

regard (again in my opinion) to make this would be defense on your part

essentially irrelevant.

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Answered on 7/24/14, 9:34 am


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