Q: IS IT LEGAL THE WAY OUR LANDLORD RANDOMLY GAVE US A FINANCE CHARGE THAT WE DIDNT KNOW WAS ADDING UP FOR 5 MONTHS/NOV-APR
SO, I TOOK OVER A LEASE IN A 5 BDRM HOME MY RENT STARTING 1ST OF JANUARY WITH 2 OTHER ROOMIES AT THE TIME AND 1 MOVING IN A WEEK AFTER ME, WE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF FORMER RENT CHARGES ADDING UP FROM TENANTS WHO WERE ON THE LEASE BUT NOT PAYING OR PHYSICALLY LIVING THERE. THE 4 OF US HAVE BEEN PAYING OUR RENT EVERY MONTH AND LANDLORD NEVER ONCE CAME WITH CONCERN ABOUT WHY IT HADNT BEEN PAID IN FULL (MINUS 5TH TENANTS PAYMENT) FINALLY WE WERE ASKING HIM QUESTIONS ABOUT MOVING OUT EARLY AND HOW WE WOULD HANDLE IT. BUT HE EMAILED BACK WITH A CHART OF UNPAID RENT NEARLY 4K$ AND HAS GIVEN US 2 WEEKS TO PAY IT "OR ELSE"..WE HAVE PROOF THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO KNOWN KNOWLEDGE BETWEEN THE 4 OF US WHO HAVE BEEN PAYING ON TIME. ALSO THE TENANTS THAT 2 OF US TOOK OVER FOR NEVER KNEW OR HAD GIVEN US A HEADS-UP. WHAT CAN WE DO TO GET AROUND HAVING TO PAY UNDOCUMENTED AND UNKNOWN CHARGES OF $3,862.00 IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS? HE SHOULD HAVE TOLD US THERE WAS AN ISSUE WHEN IT FIRST CAME TO HIS ATTN CORRECT?!
A:
This sounds like one of the problems with taking over a lease, especially one like this where it appears there were multiple roommates. Most likely, the lease you took over explains your situation regarding the fees and that all renters are jointly liable for the amounts.
Lastly, while it is common courtesy for a landlord to bring this to your attention earlier, there is no requirement other than formal notice of eviction.
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