[Apartment RO]

Tomorrow is my last official day of tenancy at my old apartment (I moved out this past weekend and am paying 2 rents). I'm not sure what to do about the loose ends.

My landlord has been "out of town" for the past 2 weeks and comes back tomorrow. I have left him voicemails and letters trying to get answers about buttoning up some opened ended issues.

1.) Tomorrow is my last day with the apartment. The new tenant moves in Saturday morning. I still have the keys. What should I do with the keys if I do not hear back from the landlord? Drop them off at his real estate office? I am 99.5% sure he will not be changing the locks. And the new tenant will need them the following morning so he can move in. I don't want to get in trouble or charged for an extra day of rent because I am holding on to them because I don't know what to do with them.

2.) The inspection. The landlord requested me to be present for the inspection. As mentioned, he's been out of town from the time I moved out and returns the day before the new tenant moves in. I have given him several dates/times I was available this week for an inspection (before I knew he would be out of town), including tomorrow evening, but he will not give me an answer if he is available then. I really don't care about being present at this point, but what happens if he does not do an inspection? Could that affect my security deposit? Does that mean he forfeits his right to claim damages? I cleaned that place spotless and took several pictures after the place was empty. Also, he never provided me with an inventory check list (requirement by MI law) when I moved in nor did he do an inspection when the previous tenant moved out.

3.) I also need to know what I owe for the utilities for the month of April. How will I know that he is charging me fairly for 13 days? During my 10 months of living in this guy's apartment I was over charged for gas and water for 7 of those months. The landlord told me back in Feb that he would rectify all 7 months. Call it even?

4.) April's rent. The new tenant's lease doesn't start until May 1st, but the landlord is allowing him to move in early. (April 14) The landlord had me pay all of April's rent and said he would credit me for the 14 days that the new tenant is living there. How do I make sure I will be credited for 14 days of rent? Should I hold onto the apartment keys as ransom? Personally, I feel I should have that check upfront and he can take his sweet time getting me back the security deposit since legally he has 30 days. Or have my attorney write a letter on my behalf?

I am not sure what to do? How to handle this situation? I am getting very anxious seeing that tomorrow is the last day of my tenancy and my landlord has not responded to any of my calls or letters.

[Fr_Chuck]

You need to have some witness with you and do a walk though if the land lord is not, and you need to vidieo tape or photo what it looks like, remember if he clams big stains and does not give you back your depositi what proof will you have.

If he has cheated you all along on electric, assume he will still cheat you.

And there is no way to make sure you are credited, if he does not, you can sue him in small claims court, ( of course my bet is all this is verbal with nothing in writing to prove any of it?? _

So yes be nervous since it appears he is a bad landlord