Can an owner/ landlord charge you for not having possession of the unit? I moved into my home on 8/20/07 and they want to charge me from 8/13/07 when the house was supposedly ready for me to move in. I used to manage apartments before and I don't remember ever charging my tenants money if they didn't acutally have the keys to the unit in their hands.

If you didn't have the keys to the apartment you shouldn't be charged for the rent during that time... its absurd... you could live there if you wanted without having keys.

I would charge from the date on the lease that was the date they agreed to move in. If the only reason you did not have kesy was that you just did not go pick them up. If you agreed to move on a certain date and just did not, I would hold you liable in any of my rentals.