JessicaAnneW
New Member
Hi,
I am a tenant and my roommate is on the lease in an apartment building in Virginia. When my roommate wanted to renew the 12 month contract I told her I couldn't commit and would do a month to month. As part of the agreement I had to give 30 days notice of when I am vacating and she also took an extra month's rent from me in case she could not find someone in 30 days. This would be used for the next month's rent after I left.
I have given her OVER 30 days notice and my sister who has similar interests and personality as me expressed interest in moving into my apartment the month after I leave. My roommate said that due to her father's illness she can't commit to someone else moving into the apartment as she might not continue her lease.
As part of the agreement it states that she has to look for a roommate and if she finds someone, I have to be reimbursed my extra month's rent. My sister is a suitable candidate and she rejected her. Does this mean I can sue her to get my money back? She went back on her claim that she was not looking for a roommate when I asked for my money back and she said she is in fact looking for a roommate that will understand her situation with her father. I sent her an e-mail saying that my sister is still interested and understands her situation but she still would not accept my sister. My sister stated she could do month to month or pay her four months advance rent (the remainder of the lease), but my roommate still refuses.
What are my rights as a tenant? Also, since I am on a month to month rent agreement, was it legal for her to take an extra month's rent to begin with? This extra month's rent was not intended to be used for the last month that I have lived there, but for the month after I moved out in case she didn't find anyone.
Very Respectfully,
Jessica Wilson
I am a tenant and my roommate is on the lease in an apartment building in Virginia. When my roommate wanted to renew the 12 month contract I told her I couldn't commit and would do a month to month. As part of the agreement I had to give 30 days notice of when I am vacating and she also took an extra month's rent from me in case she could not find someone in 30 days. This would be used for the next month's rent after I left.
I have given her OVER 30 days notice and my sister who has similar interests and personality as me expressed interest in moving into my apartment the month after I leave. My roommate said that due to her father's illness she can't commit to someone else moving into the apartment as she might not continue her lease.
As part of the agreement it states that she has to look for a roommate and if she finds someone, I have to be reimbursed my extra month's rent. My sister is a suitable candidate and she rejected her. Does this mean I can sue her to get my money back? She went back on her claim that she was not looking for a roommate when I asked for my money back and she said she is in fact looking for a roommate that will understand her situation with her father. I sent her an e-mail saying that my sister is still interested and understands her situation but she still would not accept my sister. My sister stated she could do month to month or pay her four months advance rent (the remainder of the lease), but my roommate still refuses.
What are my rights as a tenant? Also, since I am on a month to month rent agreement, was it legal for her to take an extra month's rent to begin with? This extra month's rent was not intended to be used for the last month that I have lived there, but for the month after I moved out in case she didn't find anyone.
Very Respectfully,
Jessica Wilson