Maria T Patente Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 20, 2023

Tenants have several options in cases like this, when safety and health are threatened due to uninhabitable living conditions. (1) A Tenant's assertion (2) a Repair and Deduct (3) a 21/30 day notice to landlord, demanding that Landlord repairs in 21 days or lease will end on day 30.... View More

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... View More

Unfortunately, what someone can do, should do, and actually does aren't always the same. Assuming you paid a security deposit and the VRLTA applies, I'm not sure why the landlord wouldn't want a move out inspection. You have a right to be present during the move out inspection.... View More

It really depends on whether the items can be repairs and the condition of the items before the tenancy. If they can't be repaired and only replaced, then replacement is fine. If they were in excellent condition before and repair is not possible, then replacement could be justified. It's... View More

The SCRA limits anyone from taking a judgment against a service member when he or she is called to active duty. Unless you share the lease for review -- which you should not do in an open on-line forum -- I have no idea what your SCRA clause says, but I would take a wild guess that it has nothing... View More

It would be incompetent to answer this without a factual inquiry and interview, and the Internet in an open forum is not the correct place to get that. Seek counsel licensed on the applicable jurisdiction, and secure a consult.

When you fail to pay rent the landlord serves you with a written 5 day pay or quit notice in the first step towards an eviction. If rent is not paid within 5 days, the landlord then must file a summons for unlawful detainer in the court in which the property resides. Virginia does not permit... View More

Most of the facts in your question are irrelevant. A contract for land must be in writing or it is void. Depending on where you are, a writing can sometimes be lots of things short of a Purchase and Sale Agreement on the local Board of Realtors form. I think there is one DC case in which a check... View More

No, unfortunately not. You still have to go through the eviction process by filing with the court and having the court enter a judgment for possession in your favor. If you decide to hire an attorney to assist, I'm sure anyone who responds would be happy to help. Good luck.

It's possible you could make a misrepresentation or fraudulent inducement argument, but if this goes to court you're going to need to be able to convince a judge that 1) the landlord told you it hasn't been smoked in; and 2) that it was smoke and not curry. If you decide to hire a... View More

A former owner of real estate that was sold at a foreclosure auction becomes a tenant at sufferance after delivery of a deed from the substitute trustee. A tenant at sufferance is one who enters into possession of real property lawfully, but remains in possession unlawfully. After title to the... View More

It depends on how the lease agreement is worded. Usually residential leases are for a specific period of time (a year is standard) with the rent remaining the same for that year. The landlord can not change the rent midlease unless the lease allows for it to be unilaterally changed during the term... View More

A Virginia attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. It could depend on a number of factors - other thefts in area, construction of gate, nature of breakage, terms of parking arrangements, etc. An investigation would need to address these and other possible issues. Good... View More

That sounds like nonsense.

You may want a lawyer to help you. I would suggest a 'tenant assertion' to have the court declare that a lease exists and you are due refund/credit/lower rent payments on the lease. You would file the assertion in the General District Court for the... View More

First of all: make sure (absolutely sure) you show up at the first return and ask to contest everything and do NOT admit to owing anything. Then I would think about talking to a lawyer because it would appear that you do have defenses--and this assumes the lease is in Virginia:

1. You... View More

If you're going to evict based on non-payment or property damage, then you do need to give notice and evict through the court process. If you're evicting based on a person who has no tenancy rights then arguably no notice is required, but even then, the safest thing to do is give notice.... View More

You'd just file a complaint for breach of contract in Virginia Circuit Court for the unpaid rent and any other damages (like property damage) and then serve the former tenants with the complaint. I'm sure anyone who responds would be happy to help if you decide to hire a lawyer. Good luck.

It depends on what the contracts you signed said. Either read them yourself or retain counsel to help you understand them. It's not a bad idea to read them before you sign them, too.

Your description is not sufficiently clear. The tenant broke the lease. Nevertheless, you chose to return the full deposit without deducting for the rent or brokerage damages. Now, the tenant is suing you? Regardless of whether I understood you, you need a lawyer to review the facts. Perhaps it is... View More

You'd likely have to provide a 30 day notice and then file an unlawful detainer with the court if he doesn't leave (assuming the boyfriend was not given the home in the will). If you decide to hire an attorney, I'm sure anyone who responds would be happy to help. Good luck.