If I was told rent was a certain amount and it changed, do I have to pay the difference?
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If I was told rent was a certain amount and it changed, do I have to pay the difference?
We were told that rent was a certain amount upon signing the lease but after half a month of living here, they are threatening to sue us over $4.17, a miscalculation on their part. Am I liable to pay that? They also said there will be a $5 late fee and $190 lawyer’s fee if it’s not paid by today. Is there anything I can do?
Asked on December 15, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Colorado
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The best way to resolve the dispute over the $4.17 amount is to carefully read the presumed written lease that you have to ascertain who was correct or incorrect in the total rental amount. If you are correct, I would write the landlord a detailed letter explaining why you are correct with specific references to the lease. If you are incorrect in what you paid, I would pay what is owed including any late fee.
The concern I have is that your landlord is making such a big deal about $4.17 with the threatened lawsuit for that amount, late fee and the claim for $190.00 in attorney's fees. For the relationship to start out the way it has with the landlord, I would be very cautious in how you deal with him or her in the future concerning the rental.
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