We moved into a house and were never given a lease to sign. Before we moved in, we were told it would be about 2 weeks before we could move in because they had to clean up after the old tenants. We offered to clean the house if we didn't have to pay the deposit. They were fine with that. They said that they would provide the rollback for us to throw their trash in. We then asked if there was a washer and dryer and they said no. The old tenants also took the stove and refrigerator, so we knew we would have to get our own appliances. We met the landlord at the house to look through it and it was a total disaster. There was a washer and dryer and he said that it looks like they left that as long as it works. It didn't. Anyway, there was never a lease and we only had the rollback for 2 days. He said he would get another one there asap. 2 months later, we still didn't have one. We have since moved and now they are wanting us to pay for damages to the property. The damages were there when we moved in and he saw how bad it was. They are also stating that they want to press criminal charges because we got rid of the washer and dryer. They are now stating it was their's. What rights do we have since there was never a written lease and they claimed there was no washer and dryer and even though there was, it didn't work?

Hello t:

You have the right to require them to PROVE their accusations in court. I can't believe he hasn't tried to evict you yet. You're refusing to pay damages, and he's filing criminal charges against you.

In any case, even though he still wants you there, YOU don't want to stay, DO YOU?? This is going to wind up in court anyway. THAT'S the place for you to argue. You're NEVER going to have a nice relationship with this landlord. Move TOMORROW.

excon

We have moved out and that is why they are now trying to get us to pay the damages and also pay for the washer and dryer. Do they have a leg to stand on?

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Originally Posted by tisa2631

We have moved out and that is why they are now trying to get us to pay the damages and also pay for the washer and dryer. Do they have a leg to stand on?

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Hello again, tisa:

Let him sue you. In court, he'll have to PROVE his charges. If he can't, you win. You don't have to DISPROVE anything.

He'll, of course, say you weren't supposed to move the dryer. You'll say you were. That doesn't prove his case. That's "he said - she said". It doesn't prove anything. Next is the fact that he couldn't have inspected the place for damage before you moved in, because it was trashed, and he hired YOU to clean it up. Third is the fact that he didn't have you sign a lease or even a month to month agreement.

ALL of the above indicate that he's a slumlord. You win.

excon