I am giving a 30 day notice on the first of the month and wanted to know if rent had to be paid during that time. I will actually be gone before the 30 days is up. A friend who owns and rents property told me that legally I am not required to pay but most people do because they don't know any better. HELP!! I don't want to feel like I'm breaking the law or being a squatter.:confused:

You are required to pay rent for as long as you occupy the premises. If your lease or L/T law requires a notice period, then you are responsible for rent to the end of the notice period. If you are trying to move out prior to the lease expiration, you could be held responsible for the rent to the end of the lease. I don't know where your friend is getting his ideas, but he's wrong.

If you prepaid first and last months rent, then you could not pay the last month.

Addendum: After thinking about it, I'm really curious about this friend who allegedly owns and rents properties. His advice was so far off I find it hard to believe he knows anything about tenant/landlord relations and law. Its really simple common sense; if you are using a service you have to pay for it! Why anyone would believe they can legally stiff the landlord out of a months rent is beyond me.

Scott is beating me to these tonight, but yes you have to pay for the rent on the last month ( unless you paid first and last month when you moved in of course)

You can always talk to the landlord and see if they will let you pay part month, some landlords are just nice and may work with you.