Can my landlord charge me for pre-existing fees? Subleasing.?

[koltin]

I sublet my apartment in Oregon. The previous tenant paid her May's rent late on the 11th of May and so was charged $35.00. I moved to Oregon from Washington on the 21st of May and signed my sublease agreement then. My landlord is attempting to charge me $90.00 for late fees on rent. I know they can't do this, but are there any laws or anything I can use to dispute the charge when I talk to them on Monday.

Thanks!

[jolie]

Read the lease to see if by subletting you are responsible for such charges. If in doubt consult a local real estate attorney.

[nicolas]

the most important thing to know is, does your LL permit sub-leasing? MOST do not.

from what you read, your predecessor owes the LL money. He-she bailed owing.
Doing so, his replacement--you--is legally obligated to pay. OR to say it
the Judge Judy way "someone needs to pay rent, all the rent, on time, It appears
that your predecessor did not do so.

Thus, while YOU are a [probably] good tenant, someone must pay the late fee.

IF you can find the other tenant, get the amount from her.

Reading again, I do see where the amount she was charged was $35 but he
wants to up it to $90. IT seems to me that she did not pay and that makes
her 35 late fee due on the 11th but who is responsible for the rent between
the 11th and the 21st?

That is what the LL is going to ask. UNLESS he has waived any rent
in-between those days.

Available to guide you further and for
Oregon LL law, call 1-2 RE offices and ask to speak to a BROKER.

[werner72]

You can also consult you local housing authority, they thankfully do not charge fees like lawyers do.