[Wailana]

Hi,

I signed an annual lease and gave my notice two weeks later. During this time the landlord immediately got a couple to sign an annual lease. He filed for a Certificate of occupancy to fix up the place before the new couple moved into the apartment. Unfortunately, the couple also broke the lease. They nefer moved in.

Now my former landlord filed a civil suit against me for a year's rent. A lawyer told me I could file Meritorious Merit. Another lawyer said the landlord need proof of further attempts to rent under the Good Faith Act.

Help! He was a absentee slumlord. I wish I knew about Landlord Tenant Agreement book. I would have done things differently.

Where do I stand in the court of law in the state of NJ?

[LisaB4657]

Do you have proof that the couple signed a lease after you signed your lease? If you have proof that it was signed then you might have a pretty good case in court. You can argue that once they signed a lease they replaced your tenancy and you were no longer responsible.