FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THIS POST
THIS EXCUSE DID NOT GO WELL IN COURT!
A Rent Dispute Lands in Front of Judge Judy
Imagine three former sub-tenants facing Judge Judy.
They are suing their former landlord.
The Plaintiffs Seek Damages
Brianna Eaton, Vanessa Perez, and Laura Mills are the plaintiffs.
They are suing Matthew Garcia, the defendant.
They want their security deposits back.
They also claim costs for installing locks.
Moving costs are part of their claim.
They also allege harassment.
The Defendant's Master Lease
Laura Mills begins speaking for the plaintiffs.
She explains they rented rooms from Matthew Garcia.
He held the master lease for the house.
Laura Mills started renting in July 2015.
Vanessa Perez started in September 2017.
Brianna Eaton started in April 2017.
Matthew Garcia confirms he started his master lease in April 2012.
He states they had three rooms until the house sold.
The House is Sold
The plaintiffs were told the house was sold around August 2017.
Vanessa Perez clarifies she moved in April, not September.
She claims a sublet agreement guaranteed her stay until April 30, 2018.
Judge Judy asks to see this agreement.
Vanessa Perez confirms she knew Matthew Garcia was not the owner.
Judge Judy points out Matthew Garcia cannot guarantee what he does not own.
She states the sublet agreement is meaningless if his lease did not extend to April 2018.
Judge Judy confirms the plaintiffs knew the house was not Matthew Garcia's property.
The Eviction Notice
The plaintiffs were advised to vacate the house by September 18, 2017.
This notice came via text message from Matthew Garcia.
Judge Judy asks to see the text message.
The message informed them the house was sold.
It gave them 30 or 60 days to vacate.
Matthew Garcia had already moved out.
The plaintiffs moved out on November 30, 2017.
This was more than 60 days after the notice.
Unpaid Rent
The plaintiffs did not pay rent for November.
Laura Mills' rent was $750.
Vanessa Perez's rent was $950.
Brianna Eaton's rent was $700.
Judge Judy notes the plaintiffs lived rent-free in November.
The plaintiffs confirm they paid rent in October.
However, Matthew Garcia immediately returned it.
Brianna Eaton did not attempt to pay October rent.
She was told it would be returned.
The "Separate Agreement"
The plaintiffs claim they had a separate agreement.
This agreement was with the actual new owner of the house.
They say this happened after Matthew Garcia was served eviction paperwork.
Judge Judy asks to see this contract with the new owner.
Judge Judy accuses the plaintiffs of "extorting" the new owner.
She says they refused to move out.
Judge Judy reads from the agreement with the new owner.
It states the new owner would not instruct the sheriff to conduct a lockout.
This was conditional on them vacating by December 1st.
Judge Judy's Patience Wears Thin
Judge Judy challenges the plaintiffs.
She asks them to show where the agreement forgave their rent.
A plaintiff states the agreement "doesn't state we have to either."
Judge Judy calls her an "idiot."
She reminds the plaintiff of her lease with Matthew Garcia to pay rent.
Judge Judy suggests the plaintiffs were squatting.
She says they lived rent-free.
She believes they were trying to get money to move out.
Judge Judy notes the plaintiffs saved significant amounts by not paying rent.
She mentions amounts like $1500, $2000, and $1400.
The plaintiffs claim they were acting in good faith.
Judge Judy refutes this.
She states they were not acting in good faith after September 2017.
Security Deposits and Counterclaims
Judge Judy states the plaintiffs owe Matthew Garcia two months' rent.
This is if he can prove he paid it on their behalf.
A plaintiff states she is owed the return of her security deposit.
Judge Judy dismisses what the new owner told them as hearsay.
Laura Mills' security deposit was $750.
Vanessa Perez's security deposit was $350.
Brianna Eaton's security deposit was $700.
Brianna Eaton also paid a $175 pet deposit.
Judge Judy states Matthew Garcia must return their security deposits.
This is if there were no damages.
She says they only owe him for November rent.
The plaintiffs claim they installed bedroom locks.
They say Matthew Garcia entered the premises on September 25th.
They allege he acted hostilely.
The Verdict
Judge Judy dismisses the plaintiffs' case.
She rules that the plaintiffs owe Matthew Garcia for rent on his counterclaim.
Laura Mills owes $750.
Vanessa Perez owes $950.
Brianna Eaton owes $700.
A plaintiff attempts to bring up additional utilities.
Judge Judy dismisses it.
Watch the Full Judge Judy Case Below
See how this case unfolds.
The ending is quite a moment.
Scroll down.
Press play.
FULL VIDEO
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_NS8ipVc-0
