Hot Bench Season 3 Episode 21 Rent-to-Own Breakdown!

In Hot Bench season 3 episode 21 titled Rent-to-Own Breakdown!, viewers are presented with a case that centers around a rent-to-own agreement between a landlord and tenant, which has gone awry. The landlord, Dwayne, is a businessman who owns several properties and has entered into a contract with his tenant, Crystal, for her to rent his property with the option to own it at the end of the lease term. The lease agreement states that Crystal needs to pay a certain amount each month, which will be applied towards the purchase price of the house if she decides to exercise the option to buy.

However, things don't quite go according to plan. Crystal is not happy with the property and claims that there are numerous issues with the house that were not disclosed to her before she signed the contract. For instance, she says that the roof leaks, there is mold in the walls, and the electrical system is faulty. She also claims that the landlord promised to fix these issues but hasn't followed through on his promises. As a result, she hasn't been paying her rent and has fallen behind on her payments.

Dwayne, on the other hand, denies that he made any such promises to Crystal. He claims that the mold was caused by her own negligence and that he did fix the roof and electrical system. He says that Crystal is being unreasonable and is taking advantage of the rent-to-own arrangement. He has begun eviction proceedings against Crystal and is seeking payment of the rent arrears owed to him.

The judges on the show, Tanya Acker, Patricia DiMango, and Michael Corriero, listen to both sides of the argument and try to determine who is telling the truth. They ask the parties several questions to get to the root of the issue and clarify the terms of the lease agreement. The judges also examine the evidence presented by both parties, such as photographs of the property and text messages exchanged between Crystal and Dwayne.

During the course of the trial, it becomes apparent that both parties have made mistakes. Dwayne did not adequately disclose some of the issues with the property to Crystal before she signed the contract. He also did not provide her with a copy of the lease agreement, which he is required to do under the law. On the other hand, Crystal did not give Dwayne notice of the issues with the property and did not give him an opportunity to fix them before falling behind on her rent.

The judges ultimately determine that both parties are responsible for the breakdown in the rent-to-own agreement and that neither of them is entitled to a favorable outcome. They order Crystal to pay the rent arrears owed to Dwayne and to vacate the property. They also caution Dwayne to be more transparent in future lease agreements and to provide tenants with all the relevant information they need to make an informed decision.

In conclusion, Hot Bench season 3 episode 21 is a fascinating case study that highlights the risks and challenges associated with rent-to-own agreements. It showcases how both landlords and tenants can make mistakes that lead to legal disputes and the importance of proper disclosure and communication in lease agreements. The show provides viewers with valuable insights into the law and the workings of the justice system, and is a must-watch for anyone interested in real estate and property law.