Take them to small claims court and good luck. You need to consult an attorney in your local area that practices this kind of law. Thank you for using Justia Ask a Lawyer.

It is difficult to decipher your description, but the mechanism for challenging a judge's decision is called an appeal. If you don't understand the judge's decision or how to follow the procedures of court, you might be well served to retain a lawyer for your next case or for the present appeal.

If the lease isn't renewed, it will generally divert directly into a month-to-month lease. Provided your landlord is properly licensed and you are still living in the property, then yes, the Landlord can charge you rent.

Generally speaking the right to get out of a lease is set by the lease.

That said, Maryland offers a procedure called "rent escrow" when a landlord refuses to repair serious issues. Although the landlord may not voluntarily let a tenant out of a lease early, if the conditions... View More

If you own the mirror, or because it was abandoned by the prior tenant you may claim ownership, then it's yours to do as you please: retrieve and dispose of it, sell it, or give it away. If you give it to your new tenant, then you should make clear you are giving ownership of it to them, and... View More

The code section you reference applies to ratio billing systems (in other words utilities that are not separately metered but instead allocated amongst tenants by the landlord). According to the code, certain information about same must be provided to prospective tenants before a lease starts.... View More

Unless you confirm with the court beforehand that the court date has been cancelled and postponed, you should assume that the case has not been continued. Failure to appear could result in a default against you. By rule, a motion requesting any elief must be served on the opposing party, and... View More

While the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act provides protections for financial and legal transactions while in the military, I don't believe the Act confers greater rights than a person can have in a situation like the one you describe. If a person is renting your property, you have the right to... View More

You list DC as where you are asking the question, but you posted this on the Maryland forum. My answer will apply to both, except licensing of rental properties are different as well as the eviction court procedures, in each jurisdiction. It sounds as though your "landlord" does not own... View More

While it is well worth your money to have the lease reviewed and check the local ordinances on landlord & tenant relations in your county, as a general matter, the landlord covenants a safe and habitable residence, and hot water is a part of that. You call the landlord -- preferably after a... View More

First off, let me quote my late, old professor of Business Law back at Penn. "Of course, they can sue. Any idiot can sue. All it takes is a pen, paper, and the filing fee … and on occasion a crayon is substituted for the pen. The question you are trying to ask is whether you can win."... View More

If they were evicted by court process, with service of a writ of possession by the Sheriff, then their return is trespassing, and you should file criminal charges (assuming you are the landlord with the writ of possession issued to you after prevailing in the eviction action). Ordinarily, upon... View More

I would need more information to answer this fully.

You mentioned that there is a automatic renewal clause in the lease that you initialed. Did that automatic renewal clause state that the lease would be renewed automatically for an additional year unless either party takes an action?... View More

Real Property Code Section 8-212.2, provides in petinent part;

(b) [I]f a tenant under a residential lease meets the conditions set forth in subsection (c) of this section, the tenant's liability for rent under the lease may not exceed 2 months' rent after the date on which the... View More

If we are talking about a commercial lease, generally the lease controls. Get a lawyer to review the lease and negotiate a resolution with the neighboring property owner harboring the vermin infestation. If this is a residential lease, the answer depends a bit on the locality, but, as a general... View More

Maryland law offers "rent escrow" as an option for a tenant living in a place that has serious health or safety violations. The tenant can seek different options, from having the landlord fix the problem, to asking the court to reduce rent or break the lease. It is up to the court to... View More

Commercial leases are seldom forgiving in their terms, and are generally largely in favor of the landlord. In a situation where you are in clear and admitted breach of the single most important and basic term --the timely payment of rent-- you have little to no leverage; worse, you're... View More

Generally speaking the rights of an occupant ("roommate") who is not an owner are based on the lease. If there is no lease, then one must move out after given proper notice to vacate. Legally speaking it doesn't make much difference if someone has lived in property for 6 months, 2... View More

Need to read the commercial lease and ascertain whether the statute of limitations was extended beyond the default 3 years normally applicable to claims of this nature. However, most commercial leases are under seal, meaning you signed the lease with the word “seal” printed next to the... View More

Request --in writing, and dated-- the detailed utility invoices for the property and how the amounts billed to you were calculated. Cite the code section. State that their request for payment does not meet the Code requirements for supporting documentation and billing details, and that upon... View More