Hi

I am a landlord in NJ and have a month to month verbal rent agreement with my tenants. I have a tenant that gave me an eight day notice that she was moving out. When I rent my apartments I tell all my tenants to give me a 30-day notice before they move out to allow me time to find a new tenant since it's month to month. The tenant also gave me a deposit of 525 vs. 700 and gave me the round around that she did not have the rest of the money. I didn't mind and let her move in. The tenant left and my husband had to repair the bathroom tile that she claims was already broken when she moved. I have not found a new tenant on such a short notice. What do I do is she to get her deposit back since she did not give me a 30-day notice?? Also, she is claiming that I have a new tenant which is false and she should know that since she moved out on the second of the month.

Hi

I am a landlord in NJ and have a month to month verbal rent agreement with my tenants. I have a tenant that gave me an eight day notice that she was moving out. When I rent my apartments I tell all my tenants to give me a 30-day notice before they move out to allow me time to find a new tenant since it's month to month. The tenant also gave me a deposit of 525 vs. 700 and gave me the round around that she did not have the rest of the money. I didn't mind and let her move in. The tenant left and my husband had to repair the bathroom tile that she claims was already broken when she moved. I have not found a new tenant on such a short notice. What do I do is she to get her deposit back since she did not give me a 30-day notice?? Also, she is claiming that I have a new tenant which is false and she should know that since she moved out on the second of the month.
This is a tough one, since your agreement is verbal. I don't know since you did not have a contract, or written lease, saying that there is protocal for vacating, that you can force the tenant to pay for rent beyond when she was there. I hope someone comes along to give you information that I am not aware of, that can help you out here. Did the tenant give you cash or a check, and did it state on the check what it was for? I wonder if it could back fire, since there was no paperwork stateing that the check or cash was for a refundable deposit? If there was damage to the tile, it doesn't matter what the tenant says, if she did not take pictures, or have proof that it was damaged BEFORE she moved in, then you can sue her for the damage (or take it out of the deposit). I am not an attorney, so I may be wrong on my opinion.

What she gave me was a welfare voucher that is for the deposit but they did not give me the 700 only 525 which I took because I thought that she was nice. Now, I dont want to be sued for something that initially we did have an understanding when she first moved in. Also, I dont think that it is fair that she only gives me an eight day notice. I did even try to get her to live the security and she declined and then said that to her that if I would find a tenant by the first that I would gladly give her the deposit because I thought that it was fair. Se says that even if I get someone later on that she wants her security. I just don't think that this is fair from a landlords point of view because I am out a tenant thanks to her lack of time.

What she gave me was a welfare voucher that is for the deposit but they did not give me the 700 only 525 which I took because I thought that she was nice. Now, I dont want to be sued for something that initially we did have an understanding when she first moved in. Also, I dont think that it is fair that she only gives me an eight day notice. I did even try to get her to live the security and she declined and then said that to her that if I would find a tenant by the first that I would gladly give her the deposit because I thought that it was fair. Se says that even if I get someone later on that she wants her security. I just don't think that this is fair from a landlords point of view because I am out a tenant thanks to her lack of time.
I would call the agency that gave you the deposit, and see if it needs to be sent back to them, since it was thier money, and not the tenants.

what you have is a verbal agreement, that being the case any dispute in court will default to state law. By state law she is supposed to give a 30 day notice. NJ has an excellent site that will answer any question you may have.

http://www.lsnjlaw.org/english/placeilive/irentmyhome/tenantsrights/chapterfive/index.cfm#endmonth

what you have is a verbal agreement, that being the case any dispute in court will default to state law. By state law she is supposed to give a 30 day notice. NJ has an excellent site that will answer any question you may have.

http://www.lsnjlaw.org/english/placeilive/irentmyhome/tenantsrights/chapterfive/index.cfm#endmonth
Thanks for the link BROOKS!