This will take some explaining so here goes...
I have been living in my current apt. in Florida for 3 years...it's april and my annual lease expires on may 31st 2009. Due to some financial problems I have been behind for some months. It all started when they started adding late fees as indicated in my lease when I was late. I understand that...but...when I thought I was paying my rent every month and just carrying over the late fees from the past, I was actually paying the older late fees and thus was considered by them as coming up short on my rent each month and they added more late fees. For example, this month, I gave my landlord the check for the rent in full however they applied it to my late fees and told me I was short on the rent and added more late fees. Isn't this double dipping? I get a late fee and then more late fees on the partial rent. It also violates the lease which says partial rent isn't accepted. They can't have it both ways. Now I was considering moving out at the end of may when the lease runs out and did not know about the 60 day notice. I had planned to give them 30.
Today I get an email, that if I don't pay the late fees, they will not renew the lease and I will be put on a month to month basis starting june 1st (which is more expensive). Does this give me the out I need since they are refusing to renew the lease and as I understand it, only 15 days notice is required on a month to month situation? Are they breaking the law (or my lease) by accepting partial rent and in a sense double charging me for late fees?
thanks

