Sublease tenant

[tenantq]

Hi,

I signed a sublease agreement for 4 months with a garage.The tenant said that he had everything cleared with his apartment community, and made up his own sublease. I signed, agreeing to pay for 4 months, with a $779 deposit.

As it turns out, he did not inform the apartment community. They said that they will let us stay, but that the other people are liable because they did not do it correctly through them. So would that mean that the lease I signed is really worth nothing?

Secondly, the apartment community told me that the man only paid a $199 deposit, we paid $779. There was infact no garage. And..to top it off I had to pay $200 to keep the electric turned on because he had a past due balance of $400.

This man's phone is now turned off. I searched the public county records and he owes $5000 to the government for unpaid taxes.

I just bought a house and am wondering this. If I pack up and leave, can I be sued for anything?Obviously, I would forfit the deposit money that this guy has of mine. I signed a lease, but it wasn't through the apartment complex, the man isn't contacting me, and I am paying his bills to keep my electric on.

I have records of everything.I'd appreciate any advice because I don't want this liar to have any more of my money..!

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

Does the apartment complex have any information on you (i.e., name, social security number, etc.)?

Are you supposed to be paying the initial tenant or the apartment complex?

Gail

 

[tenantq]

Hi,

No..the apartment complex doesn't have our names, or any information. We are paying the rent through the prior tenant. He then pays the rent to the complex. It's in the State of Ohio.....any ideas?

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

If you leave before the end of your sublease, the apartment complex can sue the former tenant who might then turn around and sue you for the contract you both made.

The apartment complex may not have initially known of this situation but once they did, they agreed that you could stay.

If you're sued, you can always countersue for the former tenants owed electric bill and the fact that while the lease stated a garage, none was actually available.

As with so many of these cases, it all comes down to a judge sorting out the mess (in addition to folks who wish to sue having the money to actually file).

Gail