We had a signed lease from Nov 2006 Oct 2007.  Now we are moving out – back to Germany and seem to slide into truble with the agent. We did not sign a follow up lease that was sent half a year ago, after we lived one year without contract as we knew we were going home this summer.Besides sending the late follow up contract, the agent was not responsive during the 2.5 years and know the agent says she wants to enforce the contract, claims the first contract is still valid, and is not cooperative on the phone regarding showing times, for example.The agent wants to put up a Lock Box and with 30′ notice, any agent can show the house.  Is that common?  We have little kids that still nap and don’t want to be a sight seeing place… What would be reasonable warning time and restriction in the time window (the first contract says: 10 AM to 8 PM). In general, are the rules from the first contact still valid or do we have other NJ law that governs, for example, when we have to available ot for showing, to give notice? As we leave the country, I’d like to use the deposit for the last 1.5 month.  Any lega chance to do so – I heard it is common practice to do so. Is there a NJ renter protection association that we could speak to?Thanks, Fifi

Originally posted 2009-04-27 10:31:15.