How do I dispute a claim for an apartment lease?
You get a lawyer, answer the complaint, and deny that you owe the money. Add affirmative defenses: Landlord has failed to mitigate damages. Landlord has re-let the subject premises and failed to make offset for same. Ask for discovery – you want to make a demand of the landlord to know the name(s) of the individual(s) who have rented the apartment. You also want to see any and all leases for the building that have been entered into since you left. Also request the landlord’s rent records. Then subpoena the individual(s) that rent the apartment and use them as witnesses at trial.
