Q: I moved out before the end of the lease and keep paying rent but the landlord does not look for a new tenant. Can I sue?
The landlord started renovating the apartment instead of looking for a new tenant.
A: You may be entitled to a refund for the period after the landlord began renovations of the rental unit. There is a difference between 'renovations' (serious work such as upgrade kitchen, bath, etc) and 'turnover' (new paint, possibly replace old carpet, etc). Also consider the cost of suit - you have to make sure you sue the right entity (landlord may own unit in a company name) and it's likely you will have three trips to the courthouse - first to file suit; second to show up on the 'return date' which schedules for the third time, the trial. You may need witnesses, and you'll certainly have to have proof of landlord's actions after you moved out. If you're paid hourly, consider those hours as a cost of suit - and the court cannot pay you for your time to go to/from court.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
