Yet to pay deposit- Can I void lease?
Hi- I really need some help VERY soon! Sorry, I'll try to keep it as short as possible.
I go to a hugh university and needed a room to rent. I called about an add the school paper and it was a guy who's parents and another family co-owned a 4 bedroom house. The guy lived in the house but was moving out in 3 weeks. He already had somebody to take over his room. He needed me to move in the last empty room.
I signed the contract. I was supposed to give him the security deposit of $350 at the time of signing the lease but I didn't have my check book with me. I told him I would bring it to him very soon.
The house was completely furnished (minus my room) and the furniture was very nice. I was told that the 2 guys who own ALL of the furniture were staying (there names were written on the lease as occupants). From this it was implied that they were under contract and would be there the entire time. Therefore all the furniture would be staying. This was very important to me as I have NO furniture besides for my room. I was also told (verbally) that I would be responsible for 1/4th of the monthly bills. The add also stated 1/4th utilities.
Well it is now a week after I signed the lease and I have learned that the 2 people with the furniture were on month to month contracts and they are moving out. I am supposed to move in in just 8 days and right now they have nobody else to fill the 2 empty rooms. If I move into the house there will be no living room furniture and I am going to have to pay 1/2 bills which I can not afford.
Does the fact that I NEVER paid a PENNY of the security deposit, was implied (and written on the contract) that the 2 people with the furniture would be occupants, and that I would be paying 1/4th bills void the contract?
Coincidently the reason that the 2 people moved out was because they HATE one of the owners of the house. I spoke to him today about needing to void my rent and he said "we'll i'll have to talk to my lawyer on monday".
I can't base my entire claim on the 1/4th utilites because they MIGHT be able to find 2 more people. So I want to focus on the security deposit not being paid, the furniture being removed, and the people listed as occupants on my lease leaving.
The 2 people that moved out called me and apoligized but said that they refused to deal with the co-owner any longer. They also said that he is a
"sly guy" ,very selfish, and not willing to give it to others.
If he sues me does he have much ground? If so, am I just looking at having to pay him the security deposit or could the judge force me to pay lots of rent?
All he has is my name and cell phone number. He doesn't have my home address, ss#, etc so that would make it harder for him to sue. (though I do have somewhat distinctive name.)
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!