So I moved into this apartment in Charlotte back in July 2024 and always paid rent and home insurance on time. Then due to a personal family issue, I had to leave early. The management said I needed to pay two months’ rent for not giving enough notice and also some termination fee, which I didn’t agree with. I still paid my bills though, because I’m responsible like that. I even filed a complaint with the BBB and contacted some officials about it. But now they won’t give me back access to the system or return the key or refund anything so I can rent somewhere else. This whole thing feels unfair. Anyone dealt with something like this before?
Yeah I had a similar issue last year. My landlord charged a crazy fee just for leaving early, even though I gave notice. Total mess.
Yan said:
Yeah I had a similar issue last year. My landlord charged a crazy fee just for leaving early, even though I gave notice. Total mess.
Same here… and the worst part is they don’t even try to rent the place out fast, so they can keep charging you 
@Hal
That’s exactly what’s happening here. I thought they had to try to re-rent it to minimize damages?
@Hal
Yeah legally they do, it’s called a duty to mitigate. If they don’t, they’re not supposed to keep charging you. But proving that is a whole other story lol
Wait what’s the BBB thing you mentioned?
Morgan said:
Wait what’s the BBB thing you mentioned?
Oh that’s the Better Business Bureau. You can file a complaint there if you think a company or business is being shady.
Morgan said:
Wait what’s the BBB thing you mentioned?
I used BBB once too when a gym wouldn’t cancel my membership. It actually helped, they responded fast after that.
IDK about you, but I would’ve just paid and moved on… all that effort to contact the Senator and Mayor? 
Uma said:
IDK about you, but I would’ve just paid and moved on… all that effort to contact the Senator and Mayor?
Yeah I get it sounds extra, but I was tryna stand up for myself. The termination fee just felt unnecessary when I was already paying two months rent.
Uma said:
IDK about you, but I would’ve just paid and moved on… all that effort to contact the Senator and Mayor?
Honestly respect that. Most people just eat the loss and say nothing.
Did you have a lease copy though? Sometimes that really helps when arguing your case.
Tracy said:
Did you have a lease copy though? Sometimes that really helps when arguing your case.
Nah unfortunately I didn’t have it. Just some messages from the management with the fee stuff.
Tracy said:
Did you have a lease copy though? Sometimes that really helps when arguing your case.
Yikes, always keep that lease copy next time! That’s your armor when things get messy.
Did the lawyer say anything useful? Like what’s the next move in cases like this?
Wei said:
Did the lawyer say anything useful? Like what’s the next move in cases like this?
Yeah actually… they said once you break a lease, the landlord has to try to re-rent asap. They can’t just charge you endlessly. But my situation’s kinda tricky since I didn’t have legal grounds to break it.
Wei said:
Did the lawyer say anything useful? Like what’s the next move in cases like this?
Makes sense. Sounds like you’re doing all the right stuff tho – documenting, reaching out, etc.