If I never signed a lease can my landlord sue me for rent after I move out?
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If I never signed a lease can my landlord sue me for rent after I move out?
I moved out about a month ago and now my landlord is suing me for rent that I do not owe. Having never signed a lease, am I open to having to pay the sum that the landlord has fabricated?
Asked on November 23, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Virginia
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If you never signed a written lease with your former landlord for the unit that you occupied, the presumption under the laws of all states in this country was that your rental was a month-to-month.
If you gave your former landlord a thirty (30) day notice before move out of your intent to vacate the unit that you occupied and have a copy of the notice in hand, that was sufficient to place him or her on notice that you were ending your lease. Your former landlord can sue you for claimed unpaid rent, however, he or she has the burden of proving that you owe it.
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