I'm dealing with a crooked landlord. We signed a one year lease about 7 months ago, and we are now leaving Israel for a few months. I notified my landlord, and found new tenants to take over the lease. After the new tenant signed the lease, the landlord tells me that there is a 900 shekel fee to turn over the apartment to a new tenant. I was never informed of this fee, and it's nowhere in the contract. I'm young, and this is my first apartment, so he is trying to squeeze as much money out of me as he is able to. At first I wasn't sure, but after speaking to some people everyone told me that he is a thief and that I should not pay him.
The problem is that he has my deposit, 2 months rent (8400 shekel) in cash. My neighbor recently had someone take over his lease, the landlord tried the same shtick, my neighbor refused, and the landlord is now withholding his deposit. Additionally, he went around his apartment, found a thousand things "wrong", and is demanding payment for them. My neighbor is taking him to court to settle the issue.
I'm leaving the country in two weeks. I have no time to deal with a court case, or to fight with him. Here are my options, as I see them:
I've considered just paying him the money, because as uncomfortable as it will be to lose 900 shekel, I'd much prefer that to losing the whole 8400.
Someone suggested that I get a letter from a lawyer saying that it's theft and that I am not obligated to pay him. I think that would just start a whole legal process, that I want to avoid.
Another person suggested something far sneakier. My landlord told me that he will just take the 900 out of the deposit before he gives it back to me. For some reason, he told me that I could also just give him a check for the amount. Assuming he still will take a check, I could give him a check and then cancel it before he can cash it. That way I'd have my deposit, and he will leave thinking he has my money. When he calls me to find out what the deal is, I can stall until I'm out of the country. The issue with that is that in addition to the 900, there is another 900 shekel that I legitimately owe him for a prepaid electric bill and vaad habayit fees. The check would have to include that amount to avoid his suspicion, but I have no right to not pay him that money. I asked my rabbi, and he told me that I need to ask someone more experienced in this area than him, so if I decide I want to take this route then I need to ask a shaila first.
The landlord is coming tomorrow. He is chiloni, so beis din isn't an option.
Any advice?
