Q: Didn't renew my lease, stayed for 6 months before moving without 2 months notice, now I have an account in collections
lease ended in 03/2019, I completed the new leasing agreement form, gave it to my leasing office. I had to bring my paystub for renewal to be complete but I didnt give the paystub due of insecurities in neighborhood (gunshots and killings) . I got a couple of notices from the leasing office stating if I didnt bring the paystub I will be evicted. .so I didn't renew my lease.i got another notice which stated if I didn't bring the paystub on a certain date in August, they were going to start with the eviction process. Since I did not have a new leasing agreement, I thought I had to move out end of August to avoid the eviction. Turned in my key 8/31/2019 moved out on the same day without giving them a two months notice, now I have two months rent in collections from the leasing office. Am I legally obligated to pay the collection since I didnt renew my lease. I am based in Maryland pg county
A: Wow. You really need a lawyer to help you unravel this. If you and the landlord both signed a lease, you have a lease. If you moved in without a lease, either you, the landlord, or both of you are idiots. Regardless of whether you have a lease, if you ignored an eviction summons and the landlord obtained a judgment, then there is a judgment. It there isn't a judgment, then "the collection" might just be a demand letter. If the lease required a paystub for the lease to become effective, then that might be binding. If so, there isn't a lease. But, if you are in the premises without a lease, then either you or the landlord or both are idiots. Even idiots have to pay for the things they use, so you may owe rent. You need a competent legal review to determine the status. What a mess!
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