Q: Can the property manager force you to stay to the last day of a lease?
We are planning on moving in Feb. That is last month of lease. After we pay that month, and notice was given, can they charge you penalties for leaving before end of month? They also said if we did not move that day, and carried into next month, they will charge as month to month because we failed to leave on exact day. Is this legal?
A: If the lease says they can charge penalties, then they can. Review your lease. If they withhold money from your security deposit because you leave before the end of the month, and you dispute it, you can sue landlord in small claims court to recover the amount withheld, and the court will decide if charging you the penalty was correct, based on what the lease says. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local real estate attorney to review your lease and advise you.
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