Terminated Lease 7 month early: Billed all 7 months

[campion]

Originally Posted by cmjones311

I have worked in property management for 9 years, and am familiar with NAA (National Apartment Association) leases, which I would assume are similar to TAA leases.

The re-letting fee is a fee that can be charged to the tenant in order to "pay for" re-renting the apartment early (advertising, cleaning, painting, etc). It can be charged in addition to any termination fees.

The LL can charge accelerated rent at move out, and give the renter the same amount of time they would give to pay standard charges due, typically 30 days. If the renter doesn't pay the charges in the stated amount of time, or enter into an agreed upon payment arrangement, the amount due can be sent to an outside collection agency. After the renter pays the accelerated rent, the LL is obligated to refund the difference of the rent once someone new moves into the apartment. If the renter was sent to collections, the LL must update the amount due with the collection agency.

You know, even if this is legal, it's just flat out a [crappy] thing to do to people. Where the hell is a renter supposed to get thousands upon thousands of dollars in 30 days? Not every move is a skip out on rent: just look at all the people on this board who move early because of untenable living situations, to say nothing of the people who move for jobs.

[eevee188]

Originally Posted by cmjones311

I have worked in property management for 9 years, and am familiar with NAA (National Apartment Association) leases, which I would assume are similar to TAA leases.

The re-letting fee is a fee that can be charged to the tenant in order to "pay for" re-renting the apartment early (advertising, cleaning, painting, etc). It can be charged in addition to any termination fees.

The LL can charge accelerated rent at move out, and give the renter the same amount of time they would give to pay standard charges due, typically 30 days. If the renter doesn't pay the charges in the stated amount of time, or enter into an agreed upon payment arrangement, the amount due can be sent to an outside collection agency. After the renter pays the accelerated rent, the LL is obligated to refund the difference of the rent once someone new moves into the apartment. If the renter was sent to collections, the LL must update the amount due with the collection agency.

Have you ever successfully managed to collect that kind of money before? Ever??? If virtually none of your tenants can pay 7 months rent at once to get it "refunded" a month later why have that policy?

It also eliminates any incentive for the LL to rent it out again. They can sit on it empty and get paid more than they would if it was occupied. It's a bad policy all around.

[STT Resident]

Originally Posted by eevee188

Have you ever successfully managed to collect that kind of money before? Ever??? If virtually none of your tenants can pay 7 months rent at once to get it "refunded" a month later why have that policy?

It also eliminates any incentive for the LL to rent it out again. They can sit on it empty and get paid more than they would if it was occupied. It's a bad policy all around.

Not too many people break their lease only 3 months into it, nor do most states allow a LL to simply sit on a rental but require him to mitigate his damages.