Questions answered by Lynn Johnson

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Can the title on this house be transferred without my father's estate going through probate?

Lynn's answer | Answered on March 15, 2016

Your mother is incorrect about her sold ownership. Your father's estate needs to be probated and the house distributed through the probate process...

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Do I have legal grounds to break my lease? Can I walk away without penalty? What about the security deposit?

Lynn's answer | Answered on February 25, 2016

The short answer is that you can break your lease if the premises become "uninhabitable." From the facts presented, you are not near this...

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Is the landlord legally able to charge me for the remaining 20 days so long as the unit is vacant?

Lynn's answer | Answered on February 12, 2016

Michael, The 60 day notice req't. is likely valid. Assuming your lease ends on the last day of a month, then you need to give notice that you...

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I need help as to how to get estate paperwork.

Lynn's answer | Answered on October 08, 2015

It sounds like your mother did not have a designated beneficiary for this IRA account. If so, the funds belong to her estate which means you will...

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I have a problem with the leasing agent for a house I am renting in Washington, DC.

Lynn's answer | Answered on October 04, 2015

There are no laws which specifically allow a tenant to withhold rent. If you do, and the landlord sues you for non-payment of rent, you will have...

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Lease doesn't allow or deny subletting; landlord will not sublet or mediate between abusive roommate. Roommate lies and steals.

Lynn's answer | Answered on September 30, 2015

If this is a lease for property in DC, then you may sublet w/o landlord's consent if the lease does not restrict. However, subletting may not help...

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What should I do about problems with rodents roaches and broken appliances?

Lynn's answer | Answered on September 03, 2015

Dear Tenant, You're right about DC's implied warranty of habitability. You should not have to live with the conditions you mentioned and the DC...

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Did I need to give notice that I did not want to hold-over a rental agreement?

Lynn's answer | Answered on August 21, 2015

Jeepers, that sounds like a straight-forward easy question. However, in decades of L&T law practice, I've never come across this issue and don't...

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Per my lease, I am supposed to have a washer and dryer included in my apartment. I moved in on the 7/1 and it is now 7/14.

Lynn's answer | Answered on July 14, 2015

Assuming this is for a rental. located in DC, then you are entitled to such washer/dryer. Effectively, you may deduct from the rent what you think...

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I am submitting a lease termination. Can I be held liable beyond apartment lease date of 9/19/2015 without renewing the lease?

Lynn's answer | Answered on July 10, 2015

While the lease term ends 9/19/15, if you do nothing it automatically continues month to month after that. While I'm not entirely sure of this, I...

Lynn Johnson's Answers (190)

Can the title on this house be transferred without my father's estate going through probate?

Do I have legal grounds to break my lease? Can I walk away without penalty? What about the security deposit?

Is the landlord legally able to charge me for the remaining 20 days so long as the unit is vacant?

I need help as to how to get estate paperwork.

I have a problem with the leasing agent for a house I am renting in Washington, DC.

Lease doesn't allow or deny subletting; landlord will not sublet or mediate between abusive roommate. Roommate lies and steals.

What should I do about problems with rodents roaches and broken appliances?

Did I need to give notice that I did not want to hold-over a rental agreement?

Per my lease, I am supposed to have a washer and dryer included in my apartment. I moved in on the 7/1 and it is now 7/14.

I am submitting a lease termination. Can I be held liable beyond apartment lease date of 9/19/2015 without renewing the lease?