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    newrooky's Avatar
    newrooky Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    May 20, 2009, 05:23 PM
    Landlord able to charge fee on Lease change? (adding a person to lease)
    Hello,

    I am currently living with 2 other people in a small house and our lease ends in August. All of us are on the lease. Due to work, I am leaving the space at the beginning of June and therefore am interested in having a different person take my spot for the remaining 3 months. Unfortunately, my lease forbids sublets so I need to have the person added to the lease (which according to the lease needs the approval of the landlord and other roomates).

    So I found a good person who my roomates like and presented them to my landlord upon which the landlord told me he charges $100 as a early move out fee and that if I did not want to pay it I would just have to pay the remaining 3 months rent.

    Now, I understand he may be charging a fee as he may have an extra 12 minutes of paperwork to do, but it sure seems akin to "Pay me $100 or I will not help you."

    There is no mention of an early move out fee in the lease and I just want to make sure that my landlord is actually acting within the bounds of his power. Just seems a little fishy to me.

    Thanks for your time and thoughts.

    -b
    justcurious55's Avatar
    justcurious55 Posts: 4,360, Reputation: 790
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    #2

    May 20, 2009, 05:26 PM

    What state are you in? Laws like this seem to vary from state to state. (I don't know much about them but at least this way hopefully someone will come along later and be able to help you quicker if they know what area you are in)
    newrooky's Avatar
    newrooky Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    May 20, 2009, 05:27 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by justcurious55 View Post
    What state are you in? Laws like this seem to vary from state to state. (I don't know much about them but at least this way hopefully someone will come along later and be able to help you quicker if they know what area you are in)
    I am in Seattle, WA.

    Thanks!
    justcurious55's Avatar
    justcurious55 Posts: 4,360, Reputation: 790
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    #4

    May 20, 2009, 05:53 PM

    Tenants Union of Washington State: rights

    This might be a helpful resource for you. Hopefully
    newrooky's Avatar
    newrooky Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    May 20, 2009, 06:21 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by justcurious55 View Post
    Tenants Union of Washington State: rights

    this might be a helpful resource for you. hopefully

    I was browsing through that earlier. Unfortunately, I think I might be SOL. the only exception I saw was one in the landlords requirement to find a new person if I abandon lease, but I doubt the same "actual costs incurred" applies.

    If anyone knows anything about the legality of my landlords actions please advise.

    Thanks,

    -b
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
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    #6

    May 20, 2009, 07:31 PM

    The landlord does not have to accept anyone, to be honest 100 dollars to get out of a lease would be pretty cheap, since they can just force you to pay the 3 months rent
    newrooky's Avatar
    newrooky Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    May 20, 2009, 07:46 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck View Post
    The landlord does not have to accept anyone, to be honest 100 dollars to get out of a lease would be pretty cheap, since they can just force you to pay the 3 months rent
    Thanks,

    That was the answer I was looking for.

    Have a good day!
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