Q: Can I be charged a storage fee if I said I moving out on a Monday but did not come get my things until that weekend
I lived with my mom and her husband. When I went to get my things they told me I needed to pay them the storage fee because I did not get my things the day I said I would even though I had messaged them saying I couldn't due to work. I told them I was moving out Monday February 25th, 2019 (same day I was originally suppose to get my things). I got my things that weekend (March 2nd/3rd - 5 days later). I did not sign any form of agreement or lease nor was there a verbal one once I turned 18 and I was not paying rent. This is simply just an 18 year old telling her parents she wants to moveout and they did not like that. I turned 18yrs old 10 days before I told them I was leaving. It was a room in my parents condo that I was living in and wanted to move out but now they want to charge me fees. They threatened to put my stuff outside but I was told in California there is a 30 day period until they can legally do that. so with that being known is it the same with charging me a storage fee?
A:
While a minor cannot legally enter a contract in California until he is 18, any contract (including a verbal contract) would be void. However, since you are now 18 they can probably request that you pay some storage fees. I would bargain with them if they give you a hassle about it. Good Luck.
Tom Grossman
A:
Pay the storage fee--unless you do not want all your belongings anymore. If you ere not 18 when you signed the original lease it was invalid because you cannot lawfully contract until you are 18. However, your February 18 verbal promise to move out by Monday February 25 was a valid lease because you confirmed it in writing with a text message.
Your landlord did you an enormous favor by not putting all your belonging out at the curb-- with a big sign on them saying "Free stuff." So do yourself a bigger favor and pay the storage fee.
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