questions & answers

Question: Lease ends Dec. 10, 2018. I will pay in full, move out and turn over keys mid November. BUT landlord says I am still responsible for the property until Dec. 10th and is holding my security deposit hostage until that date. I don't want to be responsible for the property after I move out. What are my rights?

Answer: Unless the rental agreement explicitly says otherwise, ordinarily so long as a tenant provides advance notice to the landlord of the tenant’s intention to terminate the rental agreement, no unpaid rent is or will be due to the landlord after the tenant moves out, and the tenant returns possession of the rented dwelling to the landlord, the rental agreement ends on the date identified by the tenant (after a move-out inspection and the return of the keys to the landlord). At that point, the landlord has 14 business days after written demand by the tenant to return the tenant’s security deposit (less any lawful deductions).