Breaking my lease with 1 month left - can they really do anything?

[sandie]

So I'm going to move downtown and I need to break my lease with one month left. I can easily give 60 days notice of this since its not till April. I'm just worried if they can go after me and ruin my credit or anything. I failed to submit a payment on time once and they just sent me an eviction notice without indicating that they're going after me for the remainder of the term. Do you think they'll go after me for one month's rent?? I pay $950.

Thanks

p.s. anyone wanna sublet for one month at Keele/Finch?

[FastFokker]

I would suspect they will want their money.

You have no payment already towards last months rent? Or a security deposit?

[Twitch1977]

Why wouldn't they go after you? You're breaking a contract you have with them.

T

[Supershyguy]

Yes they will go after you. and its going to be more then the $950 if you try to run.

I would just do the right thing and pay it

[FastFokker]

Contact them, tell them your situation. If they have any compassion for you and your situation perhaps you can negotiate a deal.

Maybe they will only charge you 1/2 price on that last month you are gone on the condition that they can rent the unit out starting that month.

Running will not work, they will come after you.

[airodus]

Yup, been there, done that. You HAVE to talk to them.

[sportsfan99]

So I'm going to move downtown and I need to break my lease with one month left. I can easily give 60 days notice of this since its not till April. I'm just worried if they can go after me and ruin my credit or anything. I failed to submit a payment on time once and they just sent me an eviction notice without indicating that they're going after me for the remainder of the term. Do you think they'll go after me for one month's rent?? I pay $950.

Thanks

p.s. anyone wanna sublet for one month at Keele/Finch?

The can sue you.

[Shifty]

First off, is this a professional landlord (ie. whole building), or some guy renting out his investment or basement? The latter will be much less likely to pursue the matter for one measly months rent, the former is already likely well aquainted with the courts, and possibly already retaining a lawyer for tenant matters.

Definitely speak to them first, though, explain the situation. Then pay up, or take your chances. I think worst case scenario if you didn't pay, the landlord would file a statement of claim in small claims (amount is too small to justify higher courts), you'd get served, and you could pay up then (plus the small filing fee).

[CodecX81]

So I'm going to move downtown and I need to break my lease with one month left. I can easily give 60 days notice of this since its not till April. I'm just worried if they can go after me and ruin my credit or anything. I failed to submit a payment on time once and they just sent me an eviction notice without indicating that they're going after me for the remainder of the term. Do you think they'll go after me for one month's rent?? I pay $950.

Thanks

p.s. anyone wanna sublet for one month at Keele/Finch?

If you paid first/last months rent, then you might just lose ur last mos deposit...and therefore be in the clear.

Hard to say. The best line of defense is talking to them as much as possible on the issue. Ignoring it could make them think you are trying to pull a fast one.

950 for keele/finch?
I live like 3 blocks south and pay 850 :p

[FastFokker]

First off, is this a professional landlord (ie. whole building), or some guy renting out his investment or basement? The latter will be much less likely to pursue the matter for one measly months rent, the former is already likely well aquainted with the courts, and possibly already retaining a lawyer for tenant matters.

I've had a guy who was just renting out a home come after me for rent. I had problems with the other roommates and decided it was safer to just leave. Couple years later I apply for a line of credit and discover there are collections on my credit. Landlord had went to a collection agency and they wanted the 2months rent in full.

Rather than trying to fight the issue I elected to just pay it off, but it was a real pain and a real surprise. I learned my lesson.

[Shifty]

Fastfokker - that's probably the exception more than the rule, but true, it definitely could happen. How did he manage to register a claim on your credit without first getting a judgement in court on it, and therefore serving you papers beforehand?

[FastFokker]

Fastfokker - that's probably the exception more than the rule, but true, it definitely could happen. How did he manage to register a claim on your credit without first getting a judgement in court on it, and therefore serving you papers beforehand?

Well considering they're all individuals I'm not sure how one would calculate what is the rule. But as you mentioned it definitely could happen, and it does.

Not sure how he managed to do anything, I moved without giving him any notice or contacting him whatsoever. Further moving to 2 new cities before discovering the collections.

I don't think they need to get a judgement in court, except for garnishing wages, taking savings. I was never served any papers before discovering the collections, I decided to not pay the item off immediately and shortly after discovering the collections was mailed a letter from the collections agency. Few months later when I really wanted the Line of Credit, I choose to just pay the item off rather than disputing. Upon paying it off and showing proof of payment to the bank, they were able to issue the credit.

It was just a surprise to get hit for $600 years after completely forgetting of the situation and packing it up into history.

[Supershyguy]

First off, is this a professional landlord (ie. whole building), or some guy renting out his investment or basement? The latter will be much less likely to pursue the matter for one measly months rent, the former is already likely well aquainted with the courts, and possibly already retaining a lawyer for tenant matters.

Definitely speak to them first, though, explain the situation. Then pay up, or take your chances. I think worst case scenario if you didn't pay, the landlord would file a statement of claim in small claims (amount is too small to justify higher courts), you'd get served, and you could pay up then (plus the small filing fee).

Dont take your chances man, it wont be only $950 when they have to chase you down man.

[sandie]

Thanks for the tips so far.

And yes, I know I'm breaking a contract with them - that's why I'm asking for advice.

Obviously they can sue me. But the question is will they sue me? If they normally don't then I'm in the clear. It's a cost benefit analysis for them. Hire lawyer, pay fees, file claims vs. odds of actually getting the money from me. If the fee they incur to get my $950 is greater than $950, and the odds are low that they will get anything out of me, then they won't do it. So that was really my question - whether they will or not.

And I'm renting from the "big guys". I think they're called ResREIT. So they might do it all the time...no clue.

I really don't like the collection agency story. lol. So that has me a bit scared. I'm going to talk to some lawyers that I know though and see what they say.

Feel free to keep giving advice.

Also, $950 for 2 bedrooms. ;-)

[sportsfan99]

Thanks for the tips so far.

And yes, I know I'm breaking a contract with them - that's why I'm asking for advice.

Obviously they can sue me. But the question is will they sue me? If they normally don't then I'm in the clear. It's a cost benefit analysis for them. Hire lawyer, pay fees, file claims vs. odds of actually getting the money from me. If the fee they incur to get my $950 is greater than $950, and the odds are low that they will get anything out of me, then they won't do it. So that was really my question - whether they will or not.

And I'm renting from the "big guys". I think they're called ResREIT. So they might do it all the time...no clue.

I really don't like the collection agency story. lol. So that has me a bit scared. I'm going to talk to some lawyers that I know though and see what they say.

Feel free to keep giving advice.

Also, $950 for 2 bedrooms. ;-)

If you don't pay up they will go after you for alot more.