How can i stop my exlandlord from ruining my credit?

Dorthey
I had been renting for a while when I decided that I was throwing my money away by renting. So I ended up looking to buy my own house. I initially tried to time it so I could close on something at the end of the lease but no such luck. I did find a great place a couple months after I renewed. I gave my landlord a 45 day notice, left the place in sparkling condition, and apologized like hell but that didn't stop them from holding me to the lease which I agree I am liable for. I don't have the money to pay a mortgage and rent for another place at the same time. I'd eventually like to refinance my house but if my landlord screws up my credit I won't be able to. They weren't the greatest landlords in the world, rarely fixed anything, and I was never late on rent the two years I was there. Needless to say it galls me they're being such a pain. Any ideas on how I can fix this?

Danika
Your did break your lease ... but a landlord has a duty to mitigate his damages by re-renting the unit.Depending on your lease and the laws in your state, you may be able to sublet the unit yourself and pay the landlord from those monies. Or you may be able to get someone to take over the lease entirely. If you refuse to pay, your landlord can sue you, but he will have to prove that he made efforts to re-rent the unit to mitigate his damages and he won't be awarded future damages (rent that is not yet due). It sounds like he wants easy money from you, and even though you signed the lease you still have recourse. Hire a landlord/tenant lawyer to write him a letter and request the details on his attempts to re-rent such as copies of ads, etc. If he is unable to provide them, that means he hasn't even tried and you will need to force his hand by refusing to pay. The fact that they were not great landlords has nothing to do with this current situation.

Dane
if you werent late with rent, then he cant report uyou for delinquency.he can keep your deposit and escrow for breaking lease(not sure if its legal.)you dont have to staY but may be accountable for loss of income by leaving.(you could try to sublet, if he agrees.but as far as your credit, if you have a history of good crediy especially as a tenant, i doubt you would be turned down for mortgage or other loans because of this one instance, look into landlord, tenant laws.you can get info online-good luck

Gertie
Most states have laws specific to this. Your landlord has a duty to mitigate his loss by actively searching for new tenants. Your deposit is gone...however, he has to re rent the apt before he can pursue you for lost rent. In other words, if he tries to go to court to get a judgment against for all the remaining months of rent on the lease, the judge will laugh.You need to stay on top of this though, gather paperwork (ads, for rent signs, or lack thereof) so that you can prove to the judge he did not pursue new tenants and therefore increased his own damages.Stay alert, he will probably send you demand letter for the full amount of the lease, and after that a hearing notice (which you should attend to protect yourself). If you don't show up, the judge only gets one side of the story and could default against you and your bank account or paycheck.Small claims have days specific to landlord tenant hearings. You have rights...but you have to exercise them. Don't be intimidated, and DON'T ignore the situation.

Ilse
See if you can work out some type of mutually beneficial solution, maybe you can pay him 1/2 of what you owe. Another option would be to sublet the space to someone else if your lease allows.

Gilberte
Depending on your lease you could try to sublease your unit. You could also go ahead and lease your house out and move back to the apartment.Or get a room mate if allowed on your lease if they wont let you sublease and get a room mate agreement charge the cost of the lease.Or tell the landlord that they are right and given that you are thinking of becoming a terrorist their place is the best location you could find.

Karey
landlord is in his legal rights, the only thing you might be able to do is stay in rental unit until lease is up, when your house is ready for you, rent it out until you can move in. if you have 6 months to finish the lease on rental give your tenant the same amount of time on your lease .. that might help you out financially

Annetta
Get Her Claims Disregarded by your local tennancy board.

Cornelia
Can you sub-lease until your lease is up? That would cover your expenses.

Carlene
Most leases have a "Buy Out" clause. If not, then you are liable for the lease.You can offer to find another tenant to take over the lease, but they don't have to accept. You will still be ultimately liable for the lease.

Johnny
Pay him.

Clarinda
Your landlord isn't screwing up your credit, you are. You should have taken the initiative and sublet the place. You say that you agree that you are liable for the lease; then act like it and quit whining.

Elise
let him know that if he affects your credit in anyway that you will be having him charged with harrasment. If the apartment has been rented out already then I don't ee the problem..if it hasn't been see if you can find him another tenant..advertise in the paper and oline..I'm pretty sure as long as you made an attempt to get the place rented for him there's nothing he can do in this situation...good- luck

Cyrstal
Try to find someone to take over the lease. Most times that is the worry of the landlord... having someone pay rent on time for 2 years. Now not knowing how long it may take to replavce a good tenants.

Rafael
Try to call them and see if they will make an agreement before putting a judgement on your credit...if it hasnt already happened...usually they will settle so that they get paid without having to consult an attorney to try to get their money..Be very nice, talk to them, plead to them to make a deal with you, and just pay them..If you need money to be able to do so, you can refinance at any thime to pay the judgement..Most lenders require that you are in your home for 12 months before refinancing, but i have a few that will let you refi a day after the purchase...Feel free to caontact me for more informaton, im a mortgage banker of 13 years!!thanks, and good luck!Jason Fry