I live part time in CA and rented my room out in my house in DC on a month to month basis in July of 2007. Since the guy staying in my room in my house does not have a phone I sent him an e-mail on 12/8/2007 giving him notice that I need the room back pm January 15, 2008 because I am coming back to DC. He told another housemate of mine that he didn't get the e-mail from me. When I called him at his work on 12/18/07 to ask if he got the notice he said no, but that he didn't have a problem leaving by January 15, 2008. He asked for a letter of reference, which I mailed to him. He asked about his deposit; I said don't pay anything for January and on the 15th when you move I will give you the rest of the deposit; he said fine. Now I found out from my other roommate that he gave him a check for January's rent. Should I return the check? What if he is not gone on the 15th as we agreed? --76.89.xxx.x

if he didnt get your email how would he know about it in order to tell your housemate? --72.36.xx.xxx