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Messy Landlord Situation
My friend moved into a person's basement-apartment, in Kansas.
It was very nice, and clean. She immediately wanted to move in.
Initially, she signed a "pre-lease" form, stating the monthly rent, and deposit and its terms. He told her he would get her a copy soon, but never did before she left.
She paid a deposit (350$) and the first months rent (425$) the night she moved in. 200$ in cash, and the rest in checks (a mistake).
It was verbally agreed that rent wouldn't start until the appliances arrived, thus having rent due on the first of the month. The appliance arrived 7 days later, on the 3rd of the month.
That same day the landlord decided that her boyfriend was staying there too much, and told her he couldn't spend the night with her.
He wrote no eviction notice.
She (rashly) decided to move out. (the very same evening, in fact).
He refused to look over the room that night to see if they could get the deposit back, saying he would do it soon, and to call back the next weekend.
He now wants to keep 325$, and return 450$ of the money, because the room was going for "double - occupancy" because of the boyfriend. These checks are already cashed.
I think this is rather unfair, as the landlord agreed not to start rent until the appliances were due, and there was no damage to the room.
She called the "Fair Housing Authority" in Kansas, and they stated to get an eviction notice, and have him sign it.
What is the next step, if any, that can be done.
How much of the money is the landlord and tenant entitled too?
Please let me know if anymore information can be stated, that would be helpful.
Were both at a loss on where to go next.
Thank you so much for your help.
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Landlord Problem
Your friend moved out without notice. Even following a spat with the landlord, and his being unreasonable as to her having overnight guests, that could potentially open her up to responsibility for some rent. As this was a month-to-month tenancy, she would ordinarily be expected to give a month's notice. Presumably the "Fair Housing Authority" suggested that she get the landlord to issue some form of documentation indicating that she was evicted, as otherwise it would be difficult to make a claim for the money the landlord retained.
She may want to discuss her situation with a local lawyer, so she can get a clear opinion as to her rights and remedies.