CA Renter Question
I recently requested that my property manager allow me to amend my lease agreement so that I may move out March 1, 2019 instead of the previous agreement of March 15, 2019 due to my purchasing of a new home. The property manager agreed, which I thought was quite kind of them. I vacated the premises and removed my possessions from the unit by end of day Feb. 28. I spoke with one of the managers at the office over the phone, and I gave her authorization to conduct the walk-through without me. I specified that they could do the walk-through after Feb. 28. I thought all was good and clear until recently. I sent the aforementioned manager an email on March 1. In the email, I stated that I had removed everything but my car from the property (my car had to be towed, as it was non-op, although I don't believe that should impede the inspection), and that the inspection can be completed anytime at their convenience. I also stated in the email that I would return the keys in person on my next day off, which was March 6. She emailed me back on March 4 stating that they needed the keys that day, and that my move out was March 1. She stated their system will automatically populate proration to be deducted from my security deposit. I returned they keys on March 6, as I work and live far from their office. I had not noticed her email to me on the 4th, or else I would have called her by now to discuss this further. I have read online that I technically have possession of the property until I return the keys. The way I look at it, they should have understood, based on my 30-day notice, and based on my consistent communication with them, that my move out date was Feb. 28. It seems to me they are just trying to get extra money from me, and it irritates me to no end. Do they have the right to charge me for the 6 days I had the keys? Or is my 30-day notice and vacation of the property sufficient?
