My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: South Carolina
I broke the lease on my apartment and gave 60 days notice. On the day I was suppose to move out, I dropped the keys, final payment and a letter with my forwarding address in the drop box. I emailed the next day to make sure that everything was received and they responded with they had.
I knew I was going to be hit with a 1 month re-letting fee, a set of blinds were broken and a couple of other issues. From my calculations, I would pretty much break even or owe very little, I was just happy to be out of this complex. 2 months went by and I did not hear anything, I was not worried and just figured, I broken even and was done.
6 months after I moved out, I received a letter from a collection agency stating that I owed over $700 for concession re-payments for breaking my lease. I asked them to send me everything they had for the file and received the email. I looked at the final account statement and I saw this concession re-payment charge. I looked through the lease and there is nothing stating that a concession re-payment will be required if the lease is terminated early. I also do not see anywhere in the lease that would show I received any concessions.
The lease does state:
Early Move out- You'll be liable to us for a reletting charge of $815 (not to exceed 100% of the highest monthly rent during the lease term) if you:
-- Fail to give written move out notice as required in paragraph 22 or 36
--Move out without paying rent in full for the entire lease term or renewal persion
--Move out at our demand because of your default; or
--Are judically evicted
I have read through it all and there is nothing that states I would also owe for concessions. I would think that those concessions would need to be outlined in the lease.
They have already placed this on my credit report before I could even respond or dispute the debt. I am in the process of trying to get this removed, but any advice would be appreciated.
I know you cannot see the lease, but I will answer any questions.
Thank you for your time

