Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Virginia

My question is in regards to contract law, specifically a lease. When I told my landlord that I was not going to renew they asked if I would be willing to move out early if they found a tenant and since I was trying to move closer to my new job, I agreed.

They sent me an agreement that said simply this: I agreed to move out within 45 days of being notified by them that they had a signed lease and in return for this they would credit me half a months rent in return for moving early. A large business was opening in the area and they wanted to be able to benefit from the influx of people that were moving into town for that large company.

On April 29th, they told me they had a signed lease and so I then signed a lease starting in June, making May my last month in their house. They then sent a letter stipulating July 17th as my move out date and a spot on the floor and a smell in a closet that had them concerned.

I told them that May would, in fact, be my last month and that the spot and odor had been rectified. They now say I owe them for June and July and threatened to put it on my credit report and take me to court. They have called repeatedly with threats and have now started calling my work.

Before this I was never late with rent and even helped with repairs around for them so until now we had a very good relationship. Should I get a lawyer or restraining order? Do I owe them for June and July?

Thanks,

Brandy


Asked on 6/03/11, 12:33 pm

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

So, under your amended lease agreement you were to move within 45

days from being notified by your landlord that they had secured a signed lease

with a new tenant which apparently occurred on April 29 and you then notified

them that you would move out by the end of May (within 45 days).

If the foregoing is true, it would appear that under this amended lease agreement, the landlord should owe you for half' a month's rent rather than you owing the landlord anything and that this should be your written response to anyone who demands otherwise.

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Answered on 6/04/11, 6:49 am


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