Help Please landlord wont leave me alone

[bagged123]

Heres the situation. I've rented an apartment last August 2000. The landlord was there every weekend walking around and looking in the windows, while my wife and kids were home alone. So, when I seen him I asked if he could call ahead if he was coming over for whatever reason so I could take the family out so they weren't scared. After I asked him that he through a hissy fit and sending a notice to quit letter. Now our rent was always on time, we took care of the outside and shampooed the rugs once a month. The notice to quit stated lack of time, and I'm not sure what that meant, but our lease was up in August. We weren't renewing the lease we were in the processs of building a house and we notified him via attornies if it would be ok if we stayed until late september because we were building a house and thats when it would be done. So that was fine. Once the notice to quit came our attorney told us to stop paying rent because he broke the lease with the letter. Now, we've been out of the place for 2 months now and this past weekend I get a letter from my former landlords attorney stateing I owe back rent and so called damages to the place. (note: he rented the place 3 days after we moved out) My question is can this guy sue me for anything and if so what? Also this guy is now riding around my new home which is 10 miles out of the way. Its no where near is apartment nor his house

thanks

Connecticut

Need help Urgently

 

[jlw1000]

Since you did not pay the rent for the remaining time you were there--the landlord has the right to sue you for it. There is NO excuse for withholding the rent entirely (even if the landlord is a total creep). I can't fathom why an attorney would tell you to do such a thing! Pay the past due rent you owe pronto. The landlord is just going to win that point in court, which will show on your credit & then he can wage attach you or place a lien on your new home!

As for damages, did the landlord give you a detailed account of the damages & costs? When you send your rent payment (Certified return receipt of course), include a letter requesting an itemization of the damages etc. If he doesn't send you one, let him take you to court on this point. Did you take pictures when you left--to help show that you did not damage the place?

Also, I have had tenant's do some pretty nasty damage to my properties in the past. My husband & I worked like mad to get the place cleaned & repaired (16 hour days) so that it could be rented A.S.A.P. to minimize our losses. You can't fault a landlord for that!

 

[bagged123]

So I asked for some piece and privacy and didn't get it, so now this idiot can put a lien on my home and make my life a living hell?

As for credit, he never did a credit report so he has no personal information on me what so ever.

 

[happy&lucky]

YUP...ya shoulda called the police on him.....

Possibly filed harassment/peeping tom etc. charges , THEN demand to get out of the lease with no penalties.

Witholding rent is a VERY BAD IDEA.....

I think the lawyer was trying to drum up some new business by telling you that.

Pay the landlord, then have him arrested if he steps on your property.

 

[CJMZ]

In Connecticut the landlord has 30 days after your lease to give you an itemized bill for damages if he is witholding your deposit, if he does not - you can sue him for 2x the deposit amount.

 

[bagged123]

Since it's been passed the 30 days can he or I still do anything legally? And the police were called on this idiot and he had a court order to stay away until we moved out which he violated as well. The police have been called everytime.

 

[jlw1000]

When you first signed the lease did you give the landlord a deposit? If so, I would write the landlord's attorney (again certitified return receipt) & state that it has been more than 30 days & you did not get your deposit back or an itemization ofthe damages. (Try to include the dates). Then I would state that according to CT landlord/tenant codes you are entitled to double the amount of the deposit, and that the past due rent can be deducted from the amount owed & you would appreciate a check for the remaining amount due (& state what that amount is).

Then if the landlord still choses to sue you, file a counterclaim for double the deposit. The Judge should find for the landlord on the past due rent, & find for you on the deposit issue. Bottom line you will get a jusgement against the landlord.

If your situation is not exactly as outlined above, then please let us know so more accurate advice can be given.