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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Posts
    2

    Default Property Not Ready for Move in on Agreed Upon Date, Multiple Times

    My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: maryland

    Hi there. I appreciate any advice on this in advance. So here's the story. On June 12th our application was accepted for a property and that day we put down a security deposit equal to one month's rent of $1800. We did not sign a lease as he was finoshing repairs on the property but the agreement was that the house would be ready for move in on the 26th when we would sign the lease which would start the first. Since the 1st fell on a weekday he agreed to let us move in on the 26th, the weekend right before the first.

    On the morning of the 26th, Bill, the property manager and the one we have communicated with, called and said the property wasnt finished. Problem now is that the homeowner who is also the one doing the work, is leaving for vacation and wouldnt be back untill july 5th. This was the day we were supposed to move! We had already given notice to our landlord and he jad tenants coming in. We now had to rent a storage and a truck for two days when we could have leisurely moved fron one property to the next between the 26th and the 1st.

    A few days came and went after the 5 th and still the work was not completely. We have been waiting untill last friday when the inspector came and apparently said the house had to be tested for lead paint. Bill said they paid for overnight results and we'd have them by monday or Tuesday. Now its friday. My husbanf, fed up, goes to the house, and it is still in disarray! Throughout this whole process, we have continually been told tomorrow, tomorrow. We are literally waiting every day. We've had to get hotel rooms, as well as pay people to let us stay for extended time. And i have 3 kids, one of which is an infant. We all have been sleeping on floors and im travelling an extra 50 miles everyday for work.

    I know wr don't have a lease, but we only took these steps because of his promise date, which we have in text messages. We didn't even have to be out of our house but were able to come to an agreement with our previous landlord and he was able to re rent it immediately. Had he not indicated the house would be ready multiple times, we'd still be in our home. It taking a toll on the family now as well, and certainly inconveniencing people who have been kind enough to house us "one more day" and then another and another. I know we can take the security deposit back, but we don't have alot of options on places we can go that would keep my kids in their school district. But i feel we have been more then understanding.. but at this point i feel they owe us something as we are out of options. Oh and now we will owe another $400 for the storage unit in two days.

    Are we just s.o.l without a lease or does the promised and passed dates hold any weight. Thanks again for any advice!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    18,340

    Default Re: Property Not Ready for Move in on Agreed Upon Date; Multiple Times

    This kind of thing doesn't surprise me anymore. People are constantly posting about handing over big money for dwellings that aren't move-in ready, for cars they don't inspect and a whole lot of other bad deals that defy common sense.

    You "feel" that they owe you something for this mess you're in.

    That doesn't butter any parsnips.

    You have evidence of the agreement. They are in breach. You have the option of getting your money back, finding another place, then quantifying your monetary damages and suing the owner in small claims court for the money.

    If you go for that option make sure that the next place you get involved with is move-in ready before you hand over any money. If it isn't move-in ready, you walk away with your money still in your pocket. That concept isn't rocket science.

    Or, you can continue to be strung along until you actually do move in and then try to negotiate something once you have possession.

    Guess what, though, when it comes time to move in they will want the rest of the money and if you don't give it to them, they won't let you move in and you'll have no negotiating power because they'll be sitting on your $1800 and you'll be standing on the sidewalk.

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