Help Landlord Taking Advantage!

[Chris Pincus]

Recieved letter today from landlord saying I owe a 250 late charge, and 18% interest after today for not paying my rent to them, saying its in breach of the lease.

I spoke with them 8-12-2014 about infestation of mold below us in their property, and specialist that had said it needs to be cleaned and our heating and air ducts need to be looked at by a professional before it spreads itself into our business above this basement.

Nothing was done by 9-1-2014 , So i put the money for rent into escrow and wrote a certified letter stating it was in escrow (Showing the rents availability) until the basement was proven safe for us upstairs. They have still not done anything with the mold and now sending these letters. 

The letter is also asking me to provide business insurance with their name and corporation on it that was due when the lease was signed 3 years ago which we didn't provide then and still don't have to provide now.

Please HELP!!!!

[Ned Carey]

When you say "Rent Escrow" is this a legal process in your area or is this just something you did on your own?  In MD there is a legal process called rent escrow and if you followed it the landlord would be clearly wrong in your situation.

Next what does the lease say about late fees? If it is not in the lease he may not legally be allowed to charge the fees and / or interest.  Also even if it is in the lease, what is allowed by state and local law.

Also you mention your business. Is this a residential rental or is this a commercial rental?  Generally laws to protect residential tenants do not apply to commercial leases. It makes it even more important to go back and see what the lease says.