Tenants and landlords share many responsibilities, but when it comes to the property the bulk of liability falls to the owner. For the most part, tenant responsibilities amount to operating appliances in a reasonable manner and keeping the premises which they occupy safe and clean.
Unless you yourself destroyed the landlord’s property, neither your landlord nor any other party can hold you responsible for any preexisting disrepairs. If your landlord loses the home in a foreclosure, the new owner will take over liability for any repairs the property may require.
In order to ensure that all goes well at the time of your move, make sure that the property is in the same condition as the day in which you moved in. When you move out, be sure to clean thoroughly, remove all of your possessions from the premises and record any issues or disrepairs your landlord may have neglected or did not get around to address. Once you’ve finished vacating, meet with your landlord or new owner to turn in your keys. If you’re unable to meet with your landlord or the home’s new owner, mail the keys in a padded envelope via certified mail.
Remember, even if the property sells in a foreclosure you are not responsible for damages you yourself did not cause. If your rental is facing foreclosure consult with a local real estate attorney to examine the terms of your lease, discuss your rights as a tenant and plan a proper course of action.
Stephen K. Hachey, a Florida real estate attorney, can help you navigate this process and make the most of a difficult situation. Contact him at 813-549-0096.
The opinions in this post are solely those of the author. The author takes full responsibility for the content. Like all blog posts, this is offered for general information purposes and does not constitute legal advice.
This post was written by Stephen Hachey. Follow Stephen on Google, Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.
