Don't pay last months rent?

Question

Let me start by saying we live in Arizona.

We have been leasing with our current apartment complex for nearly 2 years...our lease is up August 31st. We found a house and will be moving out on August 7th. What would happen if we don't pay our last months rent? We never had to pay a security deposit. Would they take us to court even though it's our very last month and we're moving out 3 weeks before the lease is up? Could they garnish our wages for that last month?

Answer 1

They may very well take you to court for that last month of unpaid rents.  Furthermore, don't expect the end of the lease term to relieve you of obligation.  If you do not give notice to terminate according to the terms in the lease, it will most probably automatically renew on a month-to-month basis.

The apartment complex is entitled to rents until the end of August, assuming you give proper notice.  If they take you to small claims court, you're guaranteed to lose that battle.

Answer 2

If you don't pay your last month's rent, the landlord is likely to sue you in small claims court to recover the rent you owe.

You're lucky you never had to pay a security deposit. That's most unusual.

Moving out three weeks before the lease is up is irrelevent. They can't recover the lost rent for that month.

I'm curious about why you're planning to rip off your landlord. People like you are the reason landlords usually demand large security deposits and end up hating the business.

Answer 3

You need to pay it. Not only could they sue you for that month's rent, but they could also sue you for any damages to the property. (just because you paid no security deposit, doesn't mean they aren't entitled to damages)

So imo, it's best to stay on your LL's good side and pay that last month's rent.

good luck.

Answer 4

Seems money is an issue.  If you're Closing on August 7th, near 99.9% chance your first mortgage payment will be on October 1st (due to prorated interest paid at Closing)... since you basically skip a month; go ahead and pay your last month lease.  One month rent is not worth getting phone calls day and night from a collector.