Procedure for moving out. With no expectation for return of deposit.

[mkberg]

I live in an apartment. I paid a deposit of 1st, last and security.

I saw on these forums wording for the 30 day letter, however,
I did not save it and am unable to find it through the search.

The landlord called today and said 'you must pay for December'
(She speaks english)

I explained to her that I had paid the deposit. She then said I
owe 2 months rent. I was late a few months ago but paid up.

I do not expect my deposit back, and told her I know I would not get it back. Nor the security/damage.

So my question is:

1. Do I have any rights as an American Gringo?

2. How much time do I have, legally to move out, and does this time over ride the rental contract?

3. A few Dominican friends have told me I have 3 months to find another place legally.

4. Real estate is a business. Renters are clients, and property is product. It is not cool, no matter what
country or US ghetto to run a slum, and not keep your clients happy, so they feel good about paying rent every month. It's not like I'm buying crap from walmart. I'm paying, and working to keep a roof over my head. Doesn't matter if its tin, or cracked concrete.

5. A happy customer is a happy customer.

Thank you.

 

[belgiank]

you get a contract, you pay a deposit, and you live up the deposit before you leave, as you are never going to see a cent of it otherwise.

Unless you have destroyed the apartment of course.... then you have to be fair and own up to it.

 

[Lolitula]

I'm sorry, as I'm sure every contract and renter and landlord is different, however my experience here so far was paid first and last, plus the month at hand (so it was sort of last + deposit + 1st month). I had lots of issues with the house and the landlord, and finally decided to tell her I wanted out...stat! Within a week I'd found another place and she told me they'd basically deduct the last month from what I'd get back AND I'd get back my deposit MINUS the difference for the days I stayed during that same month (ie: it was November 10th, so she charged me 10 days from my deposit).

Finally, she had my fiance re-clean the house (floor slats and all) in front of her before she returned only about 1/10th of the deposit...despite the fact we'd paid out-of-pocket for various repairs in-house, etc.

So there's my little story for you I think as a Gringo you probably don't get special rights or treatment, unfortunately, as in the DR that can sometimes - in business transactions - work against you

I really hope things work out for you, and wish you so much luck! Also, perhaps is this something Guzman the lawyer could offer his take on?

 

[Robert]

Forget getting back your deposits, that money was spent the day you handed it over.

Live out the rent and move on.