Unless he is a minor and unable to sign a lease. If the mother then had to sign the lease then she'd be the one affected by all the legal stuff.
In that case, don't do anything. If your parents want to flush money down the toilet paying rent for no apartment, let her do it. It's no skin off your back whatsoever. Just ignore the problem complete and let your parents suffer for their own mistake. Just don't sweat it or think about it because it causes absolutely no trouble for you.
Yeah, this should have been made clear from the very beginning...
Still, if your parents are happy to throw money away, then surely they could just give the money to you instead? If you can save them some money by fixing the issue, surely you deserve some of it?
In general, my understanding (though I'm not a lawyer) is that you can break the lease whenever you want to, though if you don't have adequate grounds for this, you can be held liable for lost rent. However, if another tenant is found - and they can't simply sit around not looking for a tenant, though you should help too - the landlord can no longer charge for this. Consequently, if you don't want to live there, it's clearly better to break the lease as soon as possible.
I am not a minor, but my parents wanted to cover everything. I pay through my bank account, but they are suppliers of the money and my guardian.
I think what you really need to do is live independently of your parents. From the time I was 18 my parents were not listed on my bank account, my lease, or anything. They provided some financial support, but they just gave me money straight up. I was completely under control of all my own business, and they had nothing to do with it. I sought advice from them on occasion, but I was personally responsible for all my own things.
Sounds to me like this is just your parents problem. Don't even think about it. Just let it all go. Don't stress about it or worry about it at all. Your parents will suffer from their own inaction. Meanwhile, you should go and do your own thing in a non-fail fashion. Live where and how you want to live. Worry about yourself. It doesn't hurt you if there is a squatter there or not. Paying this rent is stupid, and I would fight tooth and nail if it were me, but it's not your money. Just let it go and live worry-free.
The issue doesn't physically harm me, because how much my family is willing to cover it, but there was still that emotional stress. It's all bullshit nevertheless. I'm glad that atleast when I left, bad word of mouth spread about the apament complex because of the incompetence of the staff
I do really appreciate everyone's stances on the situation. I just really wish my family's income didn't depend on a career that requires a safe public image and an insurance license that demands you never get involved with the law.
I don't see how fighting for your rights as a tenant would bring bad press. It's not like people go "That Emily, she's shady! She was in conflict with her landlady over the return of her security deposit. Also, it certainly doesn't affect my parents. No one goes to my dad and says "OMG, your kid, she wrote an angry letter to her landlady and took her to small claims court? Shame!" There is privacy involved. No one would even connect it to your mom.
To do: 1. Read your lease. Scan it, make copies, make sure you understand everything before you sign it. 2. Are you subletting? Ignore the squatter, because it is not their fault this is happening, fight with the tenants and the building instead. 3. Stop being such a goddamn wuss baby. Stop wasting your money and whining about it. Deal with things like this as soon as possible. That way there is less drama.
I once had a bitchy roommate who would let people sleep in my bed and smoke marijuana in it without asking. She would not lock the apartment door, and would wake me up in the middle of the night when I locked it before I went to bed because she didn't take her keys. It was annoying. I said "quit doing this" and she said "no" and I said "You are a sucky roommate and I am moving out!" and she said "Yeah right." I had a new place to live by the end of the week. Don't put up with shit.
So, on the topic at hand - do you care that your parents are spending money unnecessarily, especially if you could get that money instead?
If so, then do these things:
1. Read your lease. Scan it, make copies, make sure you understand everything before you sign it. 2. Are you subletting? Ignore the squatter, because it is not their fault this is happening, fight with the tenants and the building instead. 3. Stop being such a goddamn wuss baby. Stop wasting your money and whining about it. Deal with things like this as soon as possible. That way there is less drama.
To take action, you need to give your landlord written notice that the situation is not okay. List the things that are going on, and tell them you no longer wish to live in the complex.
Depending on where you live, you might have a law school nearby with a legal clinic. You might also find a lawyer who does some pro bono. Depending on your income, you might qualify for a local Legal Aid.
To take action, you need to give your landlord written notice that the situation is not okay. List the things that are going on, and tell them you no longer wish to live in the complex.
Certified Mail, with signature confirmation. That way you know they have gotten it, and they cannot plead ignorance of the situation in court.
So I did talk with our lawyer and brought the situation up with my family once again. Apartment complexes in Harrisonburg, VA don't have to have early termination options and they can only allow subleasing as their only option. And although my family doesn't like the situation at all, they just don't want to get involved with any more drama with the place just so we can wash our hands of them completely. It is their money, but my mom could still lose her insurance license if she were to get countersued or any legal action were brought upon her.
It's all kind of done, but honestly, I've learned something from having this thread built.
Comments
Still, if your parents are happy to throw money away, then surely they could just give the money to you instead? If you can save them some money by fixing the issue, surely you deserve some of it?
In general, my understanding (though I'm not a lawyer) is that you can break the lease whenever you want to, though if you don't have adequate grounds for this, you can be held liable for lost rent. However, if another tenant is found - and they can't simply sit around not looking for a tenant, though you should help too - the landlord can no longer charge for this. Consequently, if you don't want to live there, it's clearly better to break the lease as soon as possible.
Sounds to me like this is just your parents problem. Don't even think about it. Just let it all go. Don't stress about it or worry about it at all. Your parents will suffer from their own inaction. Meanwhile, you should go and do your own thing in a non-fail fashion. Live where and how you want to live. Worry about yourself. It doesn't hurt you if there is a squatter there or not. Paying this rent is stupid, and I would fight tooth and nail if it were me, but it's not your money. Just let it go and live worry-free.
To do:
1. Read your lease. Scan it, make copies, make sure you understand everything before you sign it.
2. Are you subletting? Ignore the squatter, because it is not their fault this is happening, fight with the tenants and the building instead.
3. Stop being such a goddamn wuss baby. Stop wasting your money and whining about it. Deal with things like this as soon as possible. That way there is less drama.
I once had a bitchy roommate who would let people sleep in my bed and smoke marijuana in it without asking. She would not lock the apartment door, and would wake me up in the middle of the night when I locked it before I went to bed because she didn't take her keys. It was annoying. I said "quit doing this" and she said "no" and I said "You are a sucky roommate and I am moving out!" and she said "Yeah right." I had a new place to live by the end of the week. Don't put up with shit.
...what?
If so, then do these things: To take action, you need to give your landlord written notice that the situation is not okay. List the things that are going on, and tell them you no longer wish to live in the complex.
So I did talk with our lawyer and brought the situation up with my family once again. Apartment complexes in Harrisonburg, VA don't have to have early termination options and they can only allow subleasing as their only option. And although my family doesn't like the situation at all, they just don't want to get involved with any more drama with the place just so we can wash our hands of them completely. It is their money, but my mom could still lose her insurance license if she were to get countersued or any legal action were brought upon her.
It's all kind of done, but honestly, I've learned something from having this thread built.