Tenant demanding all her rent back

[Kip Cline]

I signed 1 year lease with a tenant in early December 2018. Today she sent me the below message because she was unable to get the internet provider she wanted. She rents the upstairs of a duplex, that’s was never registered as a duplex when built a long time ago. The bottom tenant has the internet provider she wants (charter) and she unable to get it upstairs because they can only have one account per service address and there is only one electric meter. She is threatening to bring me to court if I don’t pay her back her December rent and January rent which is everything she has given me. She has not given me a Security deposit yet. What can/should I do? I also pay all utilities and lawn/snow removal.

“I have sought counsel and I’m moving out. The contract I signed said I was responsible for internet. I tried be responsible for getting my own internet, only to find out that Charter cannot install service because your house is designated a single residence and unable to have another meter added. This is unacceptable. I am paying for my own apartment...I should have my own address and mailbox and able to bring in any cable service I choose. You should’ve informed me of both issues. I expect a full refund of $1260 by tomorrow. I will begin moving out tomorrow, as well. I need to hear back from you this evening so I can seek further counsel if necessary.”