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Delaware Landlord - Tenant Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Delaware on
Q: my landlord is refusing to respond to my renters insurance after a no fault leak. What can I do?

A leak in the celling above my apartment caused mold and water damage spreading from a locked ac closet that I do not have access to. I am not asking for anything from my land lord other than to talk to my insurance so that I can have my claim covered. They require renters insurance however are... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 16, 2024

I'm sorry to hear you're dealing with this difficult situation with your landlord and renters insurance. Here are a few suggestions on steps you can take:

1. Document everything - Take photos of the damage, save all written correspondence with your landlord and insurance company....
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Delaware on
Q: who is responsible for a sublease payment if there are 2 tenants on the lease

my room mate subleased to her boyfriend with our landlords permission. they both are moving out/breaking the lease. Who is responsible for their portions of the rent?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 30, 2024

In situations involving a sublease, particularly when there are two original tenants on the lease and one sublets to a third party, understanding the responsibilities regarding rent can be crucial. In your case, since your roommate subleased their portion to their boyfriend with the landlord's... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Delaware on
Q: What can a landlord legally do if I terminate my rental lease agreement early?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Oct 6, 2023

In Delaware, if a tenant breaks a rental lease early without valid justification or the landlord's agreement, the landlord may be entitled to retain the security deposit, charge for unpaid rent for the remaining lease duration, and seek reimbursement for costs incurred in re-renting the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Delaware on
Q: Can a private landlord in Delaware request a second security deposit before returning the previous one?

12 month lease was signed for 2024-2025 year (June 1-May 31), and it is being resigned for the same time period for 2025-2026. A new security deposit is being requested now (time of resigning), but the one for the current lease will not be returned until May/June.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 12, 2024

In Delaware, a private landlord generally cannot request a second security deposit before returning the first one if it applies to the same rental unit and tenant. Security deposits are intended to cover potential damages or unpaid rent at the end of a lease term. If you are continuing in the same... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Delaware on
Q: What does docket entry for the letter produced from cdqjmtd mean
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Aug 31, 2023

"cdqjmtd" doesn't seem to be a commonly known acronym or term in the legal context, so it's challenging to provide a specific meaning for it. In legal proceedings, a "docket entry" is a brief note made on a court's official record (docket) that summarizes actions,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Delaware on
Q: We haven’t had water continuosely for a period of 5 months. They wont fix. What are my legal remedies.

Well water, pump in landlords basement. Some days water is off for 13 hours, it’s now a daily occurrence. I’ve mailed landlord a registered letter. Rent paid on time for 12 years. Do I put rent in escrow account? A friend of mine would have fixed it for them, they refused. They are now angry... View More

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Apr 30, 2019

This is not (yet) a legal issue. This sounds like a problem best looked into by your county health department.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Landlord - Tenant and Small Claims for Delaware on
Q: I have a bad mold issue. I have had it professionally tested and the results came back horrible. What is my next step?

The results for stratysbotrys and other toxic molds have came back in high numbers. I had swab samples and air testing both done. I have contacted the county, health department, fire marshal, attorney general and not one of them can seem to help me. My landlord is not cooperating with me at all... View More

Camille Brooks Ibrahim
Camille Brooks Ibrahim
answered on Jul 5, 2018

You can sue the landlord considering you were under his premises while the mold accumulated! That is a premises liability suit depending on the time frame the mold was formed.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Delaware on
Q: If the judge gave me 30 days to move and I can't what will happen
Ben F Meek III
Ben F Meek III
answered on Feb 20, 2017

If you've been served with a judgment to that effect (or were in present in court when the judge pronounced his judgment), you are subject to that order or judgment. If you fail to move out, the next step will be to serve you with a citation for contempt of court, which will order you to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Delaware on
Q: My lease expired in 2015. I'm month to month now. Do I still have to give 60 days notice? Or 30?

I'm in Delaware.

Brian Lehman
Brian Lehman
answered on Jan 22, 2017

"Upon 30 days' written notice, which 30-day period shall begin on the first day of the month following the day of actual notice, the tenancy may be terminated...."

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Landlord - Tenant for Delaware on
Q: I almost fell through the porch of a home I've been renting for over 6yrs.Should I get an attorney?

This incident caused me to be home on short term disability. Immediately the landlord sent someone to do the porch, however he tore down the porch then died from a heroin overdose in July. To this date the insulation is exposed. I have not been able to pay my monthly rent due to only getting 60% of... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Oct 7, 2016

Get at least a consultation. Your case is tough because you lived there--didn't like it could've moved. Contact a member of the Delaware Trial Lawyers Assn--they give free consultations.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Delaware on
Q: we moved out of rental property and left wood behind that we purchased told the owner we would be back later in month to

remove, owner asked if he could have 1/2 cord which gave at no cost . when we went back to get wood asked permission from new tenants which they gave now landlord is stating we trespassed and that he gets the wood Is this right?

Charles Snyderman
Charles Snyderman
answered on Aug 22, 2014

He is wrong.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Delaware on
Q: Can tenant withhold all rent when she continue to live in the house? Does it needs to go into secure account w/ court?

She thinks the house is unsafe due to some structural damages.

Charles Snyderman
Charles Snyderman
answered on Aug 7, 2014

No.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Delaware on
Q: How do I notify my delaware tenants that I want them to leave if there is no lease?
Michael L. Sensor
Michael L. Sensor
answered on Aug 4, 2014

If you have no written lease with your tenants, it's deemed to be a month-to-month lease. You must follow the requirements of the Delaware Landlord-Tenant Code to remove them. You can read the Code here:... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Delaware on
Q: leasing unowned property

Is is legal in delaware to rent a home if your spouse owns it and yoyr name is not on the deed and the sopuses name is not on the lease. Going to court just want to have all the ducks i can get.

Charles Snyderman
Charles Snyderman
answered on Jul 24, 2014

If you're listed on the lease as the landlord, it's unlikely that the question of ownership will ever come up at trial.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Delaware on
Q: Do I have the responsibility to pay two months' worth of rent after moving out if my landlord cannot find a new tenant?

My landlady is requiring me to pay for the period between my 60 day notice (effective Aug 1) and the end of my oral month-to-month lease (Sept 1). Is this legal? No lease was signed, and no terms were discussed as to the lease. There was an oral agreement to $600 per month, and I have been given my... View More

Charles Snyderman
Charles Snyderman
answered on Jul 19, 2014

Delaware law provides that when a lease is month to month, the landlord or the tenant can terminate the lease by giving the other a minimum of 60 days notice. The 60 days begins to run on the 1st day of the month following the date of the notice. You are responsible for the rent during this 60 day... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Delaware on
Q: moved in a home that was unfit for me and my family

May 22 2014 i moved into my townhome the first day there my bathtub started leakin downstairs and me and my kids were bitten to find out the olace has bed bugs we have been to hospitals and doctors and there really nothing that can be done on their end my 2 year old has been bitten very bad and so... View More

Charles Snyderman
Charles Snyderman
answered on Jul 2, 2014

Please ask a question.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Delaware on
Q: when can a guest in your apartment make themselves a tenant.

is it true after 48hrs a guest can claim residence in your residence I heard it was a new law in Delaware it sounds crazy but please inlighten me

Charles Snyderman
Charles Snyderman
answered on Jul 2, 2014

The answer is "no."

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Delaware on
Q: If I plan to leave Delaware due to finding a job can I break my month to month lease?
Charles Snyderman
Charles Snyderman
answered on Jul 2, 2014

If the job outside of Delaware is for your current employer, Delaware law allows you to terminate your lease early. If it's a new job for a different employer, you are required to give 60 days notice (the notice will start on the first of the month).

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Delaware on
Q: Can I break my lease without penalty if....?

This is the second month of my one year rental agreement. I have just changed employers and am required to be at a location over 30 miles away from the apartment complex I signed the agreement with.

Can I termination my lease without penalty? The apartment complex follows Title 25 of the... View More

Charles Snyderman
Charles Snyderman
answered on Jun 24, 2014

The term "present employer" does not mean your employer at the time you signed the lease. It means your employer at the time you have to move. The idea is that you can't get out of a lease if you decide to take a job with a new employer.

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