Lease Breaking Scheme

[Ken Robinson]

Hello,

I am wondering if anyone with knowledge of Maryland Law could provide some advice. I am a contractor who flips houses as well so a good knowledge of buying and selling. Unfortunately a not so good knowledge of being a landlord.

We have rented out my wife's house once she moved into my home. We have a renter who was referred by family friend. They wanted 4 year lease so we liked that. We used a standard MD Lease agreement. 3 years into the lease they notify us they have a family hardship and need to break the lease. My wife dealing with the Mrs. Renter tells her we will allow them, but they will need to pay some fees per contract to break, along with last months rent of course and then walk through property to determine any portion of security deposit held. After this conversation between my wife and Mrs. Renter...

Mr. Renter, who is not a lawyer but certainly fancies himself as one being a lobbyist. Sends my wife a certified letter outlining our options. Informs us there was leaking in the house that caused mold and we did not fix in a timely manner. Therefore this issue puts us in default of contract and they will be allowed to break lease, not pay fees and basically bullying there way out on some bogus claims. I am very troubled by this obviously. Remind you I am a contractor for 30 years, we have replaced the dishwasher twice, the refrigerator once, they broke the screen door off claiming wind, broke a toilet tank off the base. All in 3 years. They have been terrible, and now this. The mold upon inspection was obviously a towel placed behind yet another broken toilet for an extended period of time. They did not notify us of a leak until mold present which to me is an obvious issue of their creation to break lease. A scheme that was only launched once my wife informed them of the cost to break lease.

Any experienced input here would be much appreciated.

Ken

[Thomas S.]

Inforce your lease and let them take you to court. Assuming they did not report the problems or did and you repaired in a timely manner you are not liable. If they do not pay file yourself with the courts.

I would have my lawyer draft a letter explaining what they owe to send home the point that you are serious.

After 3 years as a landlord you should have learned your state landlord tenant regulations. If you intend to inforce your lease you need to either learn the laws or hire a lawyer experienced in landlord tenant law to deal with this. Proceeding on your own based on the advice you receive on here is not advisable. Learn your laws.