Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Virginia

I have been renting a home in Virginia Beach for the last 10 months through a property management company Long and Foster. My rent has never been late. About 2 months ago the leasing company advised us that the owner planned on moving back in so we could not sign a new lease on the house but would help me look for a new rental home

The house is older and has needed several repairs since we moved in. Our lease states we are to call the Property Management Co. The property management co states the owner is not allowing them to higher out repairs and that he will get there when he can. An example of this is the toilet was leaking and it took him over 2 weeks to fix and then he fixed with super glue. The dishwasher most recently has worked its self away from the counter attachments. I called the property manager and she came over and said yes that happens over time becasue just pressed wood that supports are attached to. The owner was called, he said he couldn't come until 8pm. A strange man showed up at my door at 8:45 pm stated he was there to fix whatever I had broke now. My husband is in the Navy and will not be back until first of December. I let the man in the house and he asked me if I had screws to fix because he did not bring. I said no so he stormed out. A few days later at 3:50 this man and owner knock on my door unannouced to fix dishwaher. I let them in and went to living room to take care of my 7 month old baby. These two men started talking and calling me vulgar names and using language I do not use in my home. I went into the kitchen with my baby and told them thanks for coming to fix dishwasher but I need you to stop disrespecting me and using vulgar language. The owner then got right in my face and told me to "shut the F.......... Up !! I told him to leave and he and the man left yelling and calling me vulgar names. I immediately called the property management company and they informed me they would no longer be the property managers for the house because it was not in there best interest to do business with the property owner.

I now have to deal with the owner and to be honest I no longer feel comfortable in my home. What rights do I have and can I break my lease ? There has also been many issues not addressed since I moved in such as a big ant problem and mold in the bathroom. Please help


Asked on 11/03/09, 5:14 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

You might want to have an attorney review your new lease of this older home and the pertinent facts regarding your tenancy since you moved in, but, unfortunately, I would doubt that you'll be advised that you have facts sufficient that would permit you unilaterally to prematurely terminate this lease without penalty.

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Answered on 11/08/09, 11:55 pm


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