Trying to Collect on Previous Lease
My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Virginia. I rented an apartment from a leasing company called Land Mark Properties 08/01/2019. In November I was told that my Dec rent would not be accepted because the lights were not in my name. I took proof to the leasing office and showed that the lights were in my name and my bill was paid. I then discovered that they were charging me for the lights and adding it to my rent so I was paying twice. Once the proof was seen I was told that my account would have to be reviewed and that I would be contacted. In January a new leasing company took over I received notification that I would be required to sign a new lease and that it would be effective 01/01/2020. I let the office know that I did not want to sign a new lease because I had unresolved issues with the old lease. Mid Feb I was told that if I did not sign the new lease that eviction proceeding would be made. I signed the new lease and my rent was raised. Yesterday 04/20/2020 I got a notice that I had a 900.00 balance because I did not pay rent in Dec. I checked the new lease and there is nothing that ties the two leases together. Does my new lease supersede the old one? Can they collect rent for another company?
Re: Trying to Collect on Previous Lease
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Does my new lease supersede the old one?
It does, if you signed it. But you wrote that you didn't want to sign it. Did you sign it anyway? If you didn't, your old lease from 8/1/19 is still in effect.
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Can they collect rent for another company?
Yes.
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Yesterday 04/20/2020 I got a notice that I had a 900.00 balance because I did not pay rent in Dec.
Did you pay rent in December? Do you have a receipt? Cancelled check?
Re: Trying to Collect on Previous Lease
I did sign the new lease because the threatened to evict if I didn't. The old leasing company owes me money which is why they refused to accept my Dec rent, which I have in writing. So the new leasing company can collect the rent from a previous lease yet a new one has been signed?
Re: Trying to Collect on Previous Lease
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Nahcirrahh0786
In November I was told that my Dec rent would not be accepted because the lights were not in my name.
"The lights"? You mean electricity?
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Nahcirrahh0786
Does my new lease supersede the old one?
We have read neither your new lease nor your old one.
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Nahcirrahh0786
Can they collect rent for another company?
Not really sure what this question means or who "they" are. Rent is owed to your landlord or such other person/entity as set forth in your lease.
The rest of your post describes an accounting issue that aren't in any position to help resolve.
Re: Trying to Collect on Previous Lease
Lights , yes means electricity. I signed a new lease and the new leasing company is trying to enforce the old lease. Can a new leasing company collect rent on behalf of the previous company if a new lease has been signed?
Re: Trying to Collect on Previous Lease
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Quoting
Nahcirrahh0786
I signed a new lease and the new leasing company is trying to enforce the old lease. Can a new leasing company collect rent on behalf of the previous company if a new lease has been signed?
Your obligation is to the landlord (unless the lease says otherwise). Is the "leasing company" the landlord or an agent of the landlord (e.g., merely a property manager)? If it's the latter, then what you're describing is nothing more than two different entities working for the same employer.
And, even if it's a new landlord, it's possible that the old landlord assigned the debt to the new landlord such that the new landlord has the right to seek to collect.