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I had signed a year lease starting Aug 31st (Monday). On Sept 1st (Tuesday) I had moved in half of my stuff then ran to get the rest. While I was gone for 3hrs, someone broke into the house and stole over $1500 worth of my stuff. I called the cops and filed a report. They told me to call the landlord and they had him fix the door so it would shut again. Few screws to hold the wood in place and he was done. (Nothing like feeling safe huh!)
Well I decided it was way too unsafe for a single, white female to live there by myself so called the landlord the next morning (Wednesday Sept. 2nd) and told him I couldnt stay. He wasnt thrilled but agreed to letting me out of the lease. Said he wasnt in town but could meet up that night to trade my rent back for the house key and have me sign a release form to let me out of the lease. He never called back that night. The following morning (Thursday Sept. 3rd) I called him and he said he wasnt giving me my money back until he talked to his attorney but still needed his key. So I went ahead and gave the key back. I also gave him a fax number and my address so he could send a release form for me to sign. He said his attorney was on vacation and wouldnt talk to him til Tuesday, Sept 8th and would call me back.
So Tuesday came and I didnt hear from him. I called him every day, sometimes twice a day for almost a week, leaving messages on his voicemail. Still no returned calls. Finally got him to call back Tues. Sept 15th after threatening to get my attorney involved. He told me he called his attorney the day before (Mon Sept 14th) and was supposed to hear from him that day (Tues Sept15th). He would call me back as soon as he heard from him.
Well it is now Monday Sept. 21st and Ive yet to hear from the landlord. Hes had the key for almost 3wks and I have received nothing through mail, fax, or even a phone call about the release form I need to sign nor when Id be getting my money back.
Now I know if you sign a lease and fullfil it and the landlord doesnt return your deposit within 30 days without sending you a notice of why theyre keeping it, you can go to court and get it back plus maybe double your deposit. In my case what can I do? I had a verbal agreement that he’d return my money but still nothing. Ive made NUMEROUS calls and can get proof from my cell company along with the ONE time he called me back. Im still technically in a lease for 1 year since I havent signed a release form BUT do not have a key to the house.
Should I just wait til 30 days go by and get my attorney involved? The attorney wont cost me a dime since Im “living” with my parents til I find a new place and theyre insurance covers all attorney fees. Dont ask me how, my mom just told me it wont cost a dime to go after him lol. So yeah, any and all input would be awesome! Thanks!
Yes Im a female, for all of you who ask about the avatar. Just have short hair and this looks most like me. Dont be a hater! Lol
Dont know if this helps but the landlord lives in New York. He had been staying in his RV down the road. He left Sept. 5th to go back to New York. Since then I cant find any attemps of his to rent the place out again. I found it on Craigslist and nothings been posted there. Checked our main paper here in Columbus along with numerous smaller rental papers/books. Theres not even a “For Rent” sign in the house….

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