Moving out question (renter, month-to-month, house)

[kelseym91]

I moved in with a friend on June 25th and by July 15 moved out again. I had received an offer to pay way less rent 45 minutes closer to my work and explained to them that I couldn’t pass up the offer. He wasn’t going to have me pay deposit but had me sign a month to month lease. When I moved out, I asked if I got deposit and the remaining rent back since I wasn’t there the full month and he said no because I didn’t give 30 days notice. I didn’t even live there for 30 days and was never actually even home because it was getting rough to drive an hour and a half one direction every day for work. Does anyone know if there’s some way out of that “30 day minimum” beings how I didn’t even live there for a full 30 days? I left the area I rented cleaner than when I moved in and made sure that I took care of anything else that I may have needed to take care of before moving out.

[camping_chic]

Originally Posted by kelseym91

I moved in with a friend on June 25th and by July 15 moved out again. I had received an offer to pay way less rent 45 minutes closer to my work and explained to them that I couldn’t pass up the offer. He wasn’t going to have me pay deposit but had me sign a month to month lease. When I moved out, I asked if I got deposit and the remaining rent back since I wasn’t there the full month and he said no because I didn’t give 30 days notice. I didn’t even live there for 30 days and was never actually even home because it was getting rough to drive an hour and a half one direction every day for work. Does anyone know if there’s some way out of that “30 day minimum” beings how I didn’t even live there for a full 30 days? I left the area I rented cleaner than when I moved in and made sure that I took care of anything else that I may have needed to take care of before moving out.

Wait a min...you said "he didnt have you pay a deposit" but then you want the deposit back?

These conditions (deposit and move out terms) should have been addressed in the lease that you signed. If they weren't you will probably need to file in small claims court.

[otowi]

If your friend is on the hook for the rent for the whole month and you gave no notice, it seems only fair that he should be able to keep the month's rent you paid so he/she isn't left in a lurch unable to pay their own obligations due to having lost a renter suddenly. You not being physically there much is entirely irrelevant to the financial situation. If you were 'month-to-month', then there is an implication that you commit to a full month at a time and owe them pay for full months for any month you were 'living' there for part of it. As for deposit, your post is not clear, but if you don't have anything in writing as to what the rules around deposits were, you should just write this off and move on.

[BarryK123]

This is a case for Judge Judy

[kelseym91]

Sorry, he originally wasn’t going to have me pay one but then changed his mind and I did pay one. He owns the house with his ex wife and is taking over while she moves out and into her own place.

[kelseym91]

Originally Posted by BarryK123

This is a case for Judge Judy

I fail to see how you are being helpful. Please don’t comment if you aren’t going to help. Thanks.

[Parnassia]

You signed a contract, committing to at least one month's rent. 30 days advance notice is a pretty standard requirement for moving out of a rental regardless whether it was a month to month or a longer lease. You didn't give proper notice which comes down to a violation of the contract you agreed to. Most likely you'll forfeit the rest of that month's rent...your LL was counting on receiving rent for at least that month financially. Its going to take time to fill the vacancy you're creating. He won't be getting any rental income during that time. That's a financial loss for him. The fact that your body wasn't physically present very much means nothing. Your stuff was there, taking up space. That space wasn't available for anyone else to use.

Whether he gives you all or a portion of your deposit back is up to him but again, he's within his rights to refuse. You only lived there a very short time and there wouldn't be much wear and tear he needs to take care of before he can re-rent the space you and your stuff occupied. If you part on good terms, leave your portion of the house clean and undamaged and possibly help him find another tenant, maybe he will. Many LLs wouldn't.

[reed303]

How long will it take for the new lower rent (and shorter commute) to "pay"/make up for the lost deposit & rent ??

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by barryk123

this is a case for judge judy

+1

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

You entered in an agreement, then found something better and want to renege on what you agreed to. A month to month lease means that you pay for each full month, not part of a month. And, yes, 30 days notice is standard for any kind of rental. Sorry to sound rude, but you can’t just keep changing your mind because you found something better.

Parnassia gave you excellent advise.