I’m moving out of my current spot in a little more than a month. Since I have to movel, and there’s a number of other emergencies going on, money’s a little tight. I wonder what would happen if I simply didn’t pay the rent… I’d lose the security deposit, but that would (almost) cover the rent for the month.
Is it illegal?
Would the land lord try to do anything about it?
Does it effect your credit rating?
Is there a more pro-social way, like calling the landlord and letting them know I’m wanting to do this?
Is it illegal?
It is a breach of contract, although probably not criminally punishable in your jurisdiction.
Would the landlord do anything about it?
Probably not, assuming they didn’t find any damages when they inspected the property.
Does it effect your credit rating?
Unless your landlord sends it to collections, probably not, although it could hurt you if you try to get a mortgage in the next couple of years and are required to prove “timely” mortgage payments.
Is there a better way?
Yeah. Call the landlord, find out how they’ll behave.
1- Only in the sense that you are not performing your obligations under the contract. It is not “illegal” in the sense that it is a crime.
2- Who knows?
3- The word is “affect”. I don’t think he would report it if that is all and he has no other complaints but you never know.
4- I would definitely call the landlord and let him know and work it out with him. If you are reasonable and he is reasonable you should be able to work something out. But don’t forget you are asking a favor as you are the one who is not performing under the terms you accepted.
As a professional property manager, I have tenants try this all the time. It is part of my rental contract, and is probably in yours as well, that the security deposit will not be used for last month’s rent.
What is likely to happen is that your landlord will issue you three days notice to pay or quit, in which time you should pay the rent plus the penalties or prepare to be evicted.
More and more, landlords are using credit reporting and skip-tracing services and it could very well come back to bite you if you do not fulfill your obligations. For instance, the outfit that provides my credit checks, also includes a tenant check and encourage me to note any problems I have had with prior tenants at no cost to myself.
Your only safe recourse is to speak with your landlord. They may be willing to do a pre-walkthru with you looking to see how you have maintained your rental and allow a partial credit towards rent.
Do make certain that you get any agreement in writting.
Someone I know just tried this. In less than two weeks after the start of the month, she got a notice from the rental agency saying that she owed them $50 + $5/day in late fees, a few hundred bucks in lawyer fees as she’d been referred to them for eviction, and the rent on top of that.
Call the landlord - maybe he can apply your security deposit towards the last month of rent and cut you a little slack on the due date for the rest.