[crystalj1975]

Hello,
I am asking from Washington State, in regards to early terminating my lease.
I had an early termination clause, and was verbally told that I would not have to pay the 1/2 months rent for early terminating. They did however, state that I would have to pay rent until it was re-rented, of which I did. I moved out on the 18th of February and Paid full rent for March and April. They found a tenant to move-in who did so on the 28th of April, 2008. My lease ended on May 1, 2008. I moved out early due to hardship issues. The deposit was $1200 and an additional Non-Refundable for cleaning and yardwork of $400 was given at time of lease agreement. I gave the 30days written notice, and completed a move-out interview on March 17th. They had the carpets cleaned on March 24th. I did not receive my deposit refund and statement until May 15. After phone conversations with the property manager in regards to what we were being charged with at moving out, was a carpet stain, screen repair that occurred after we moved out but were still liable for rent (local stray cats caused damage), and yard work (mowing, and weed eating). These 3 charges were sent to us in a statement prior to recieiving the refund and final statement. We were charged the early termination fee (the property manager said was to pay for half the cost it would cost to replace the carpet for the less than a dime size carpet stain) Well with-in normal wear and tear. He claimed the owner of the house wanted us to replace the carpet in the entire house for that stain, and this was his compromise. We were also charged $145 for yardwork/carpet stain, and $153 for the screen repair, so we received back only $383 dollars of the deposit. There were no itemized costs displayed over and above the non-refundable $400 for cleaning costs, and the yard cleanup was half of what was incurred by the property management team. (they removed bushes, stumps and rebarked the landscaping in front yard) I have not found an answer to this question. Are they allowed to charge me an early termination fee and require me to pay rent until they find a new tenant?

[progunr]

Go through your lease.

If the charges and fees they have rendered against your deposit, are included in the lease, then they have done nothing legally wrong.

If there are charges and fees that are not outlined in the lease, then you may have an action against them for those amounts.

The lease, and what is in it, is what counts.

[Fr_Chuck]

The yard work, could include mowing and or fixing normal clean up that you should have been doing while living there, if you were responsible for yard upkeep. If the stumps were there before you moved in, or if the landlord cut the trees down, no you can not be charged for that.
But you will end up suing them in court. Also I doubt you can be held responsible for carpet in the entire home, just for the part where they could not clean.