General Question

MissFairlight's avatar

Can I break a rental lease in Virginia after 3 days? My landlord has not cleaned the place I'm moving into.

Asked by MissFairlight (6points) August 3rd, 2010

I signed a rental agreement several days back. The agreement had me take over the lease on Aug 2. I have NOT moved on single item into the property because it’s disgusting. I repeatedly told the reality company that I wanted the carpets shampoo’d (they’re beyond filthy), the broken blinds changed, etc. I arrive to move in Aug 2., the carpets are gross, the blinds are still broke, the blinds in the kitchen are caked with grease and dust, the toliet has public hair hair around the base, the tub is grimmy & filthy, the bulbs are out in locations, the stove has not been cleaned and is caked in food, the windows will not lock. The worst part is that the realitor told me the apartment has central air but what he FAILED to tell me is that I don’t have a controller in my unit. The landlord sets the temperature and monitors the temperature of the whole place. Air goes on my electric bill! The basement has water dripping from the ceiling into the floor and smells horribly like milddew. HELP!

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3 Answers

augustlan's avatar

In those circumstances, I’d break it and fight for my money back if they gave me any trouble. What language is used in the lease? Is there any mention of a clean, livable unit – or anything like that?

Edit: The Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act might help you. It’s a PDF, so it may take a minute to load.

marinelife's avatar

You can usually back out of a contract for three days after signing with no penalties. If this is the third day, I would move on this quickly. Give them written notice and date it.

lynfromnm's avatar

Take photos. Contact the landlord-tenant hotline for your area. Have you made a deposit yet or first month’s rent? If so contact the Rent Abatement agency in your community and provide the pictures. What does your lease say about “move-in” condition? I would write to the management company and demand any money back. If no money is involved, write them and explain they have broken the lease and you aren’t going forward. Remember, take pictures and document everything. Make copies. You may have to contact an attorney if you are due some money back.

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