Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Washington

Incorrect Lease End Notice

I received a letter indicating that my lease on an apartment ended at the end of the month. I moved out and put a down payment on a new apartment. The landlord then indicated that the letter was a mistake and that my lease actually terminates at the end of December, 2 months later than the notice the provided. I have already moved out, can I force the Landlord to pay moving costs to move me back in and then back out along with reinbursment of the deposit I put down on a new apartment since these actions occurred because of their mistake in sending me the lease expiration notice? Or not pay the final months of my lease agreement?


Asked on 11/02/04, 1:48 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Elizabeth Powell ELizabeth Powell PS Inc

Re: Incorrect Lease End Notice

You received a letter from your landlord advising you that your lease was up. You relied upon that representation (to your detriment) to move. Now, the landlord is saying "oops I was wrong". Well, it's a bit late for that, isn't it?

As long as you have a copy of that letter, I can't see a judge ordering either of you to do anything. The landlord has no basis to claim you owe him additional rent because you don't live there. You can't ask for additional moving costs.

Sounds like your landlord made an error, and now has noticed the rental market is a trifle soft.

So let's say that your landlord takes you to small claims or sends you to collections. If that happens, please don't hesitate to call me and I'd be happy to give you more help.

Good luck. Powell

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Answered on 11/02/04, 4:32 pm


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