I had a 6 month lease, when it expired they sent us a paper asking if we wanted to renew our lease.  It said to circle one of the options (renew for 1 year, renew for 6 months, or renew on a month-to-month basis) and then sign it.  The different options had different rental proces associated with them.SO we circled "renew for 6 months" and signed it. It is my understanding that the purpose of the letter was to determine if we would be staying at the apartment complex, so they would know whether or not they could put it up for rent. Also, so they knew what terms to put on the lease.  Shortly after this, they asked us to come in and sign the lease for our 6 month renewal.  We haven't, because things have changed and we decided we want to do month to month, b/c we need to move due 2 job reasons.  When we went in to sign the lease (on a monthly basis), the landlord said that the little piece of paper we signed previously is legally binding- and that we have to stay the 6 mos. BS?!
137103
With regard to the form that you signed:\n\n1)  Was it also signed by the landlord?\n2)  Did it state what the rent would be?\n\nIf it did not contain both of those things then I think you would have an excellent argument in court that it was not legally binding.  This is supported by the fact that the landlord asked you to come in and sign a renewal lease.  If the first form had been a legally binding renewal then you would not need to sign a new lease.\n\nIf I were in your position I would call the landlord on this bluff.  Check your previous lease to see how much notice you have to give the landlord if you don't want to renew the lease.  It may be as little as 30 days or as much as 90 days.  Compare it with your moving plans.  If you haven't signed a renewal lease then by law you become a month-to-month tenant when your old lease expires, at the same terms and conditions.  So if you're moving in 3 months and the old lease requires 90 days notice, give your notice now.\n\nAlso check out http://realestate.findlaw.com/tenant.  You can read about your rights as a tenant.  Then click on the Resources link to get the specific laws for your state.\n\n4/11/06  I just wanted to add a couple of things.  The paper did not have to say it was a contract in order to be a contract.  But I still don't think that you signed a binding agreement.  In order for something to be considered a binding contract concerning land, it must have the names of the parties, the length of the term, the rental amount and the signatures of both parties.  Did the paper that you signed list what the monthly rent would be?  If not, and if you went to the rental office to sign a renewal lease and found out the rent had been increased by $300 per month, you would have had the right to refuse to sign the agreement and you would not have been held responsible.  So it is very important that you describe exactly what was on the form that you signed.
349369
Its call a buy out fee.  If you have 11 months remaining, you are breaking your lease.  The 1700 deposit and the buy out fee will fix any damages and cover the rent for the next 3 months.  He expected 11 more months of guaranteed rent from you, so a buy out fee is your price to break the lease.  Its not bad concidering he could have charged you 6 months instead of 3.  Even if it does rent out in 30 or 60 days, its your penalty for breaking the lease, gives him time to clean, repair, and rerent.   It is NOT a reletting fee.  Its a buyout or penalty fee.\n I use a buy out fee of 2 months rent on my 1 year residential leases.
595247
How about.....typing the necessary letter yourself....driving to your old landlord's office, and have him sign it directly....\n\nIn the alternative, can you prove via receipts or cancelled checks that you paid on time, including electric/phone bills...If so, you should provide a letter demonstrating that on paper you are reliable and shouldn't be penalized because a previous landlord has proven unreliable - in fact - I would push the point that you are proving your reliability by providing everything they need to make a decision.\n\nFurther, landlords can only answer facts...Reference questions that illicit "opinions" from previous landlords are not legal.\n\nLegal question?:  Did he pay rent on time each month?\n\nIllegal question?:  Did you find him uncooperative and rude?\n\nIm very curious what the new landlord is trying to obtain from an old landlord that requires a "review" letter.
647483
I live in California and I got my first apartment when I was 19.  I had a really good paying job so I didn't really struggle.  By law they have to pay 2 utilities.  Usually it's water and trash. What I thought was kind of weird was that there was a time when my rent was late, and I had to pay a 60 dollar late fee and write a statement as to why my rent was late.  I thought that was a bit much.  Also, If I had someone over for more than 3 days, I had to get permission from the landlord and stuff. It's pretty easy if you are tight with your money for the first couple of months so you can see exactly how much your utilities are
457120
You're right, unless it's in writing there's not much more you can do.  And if there is something else, it'll probably end up costing you more tyring to do something about it, than what you've already paid!  Needless to say, it wont be worth it!   So you can either continue feeling bad and mad about it or move forward and learn from it!    And remembering next time.... "the only way you can get screwed, is if you let them"    I would just put my focus and energy on the future.  Are they worth getting you down?    \n\nBy the way, did you guy give a rent deposit when you first moved in? Well, If you did, it might be worth trying to get it back.  By making sure the apartment is spotless and painted!  The cleaner the unit, the less the take out for the clean up!
64861
a.  No one can stop you from moving, and the sooner you do the better.  If you stay longer than you must, you will have a continuing dispute over future months.  What's at risk now is your security deposit, which you will have to fight for.\nb.  It's confusing how you state someone else is authorizing your payment.\nc.  I am assumig the orginal term for your lease is up, and the part of the agreement you cite is the relevant part.  That you did not provide 30 days written notice makes you in the wrong here, and is what puts your security deposit at risk...assuming there is one...for the March rent.
120729
Normally, when your lease isn't officially renewed, you are often automatically put on a month to month lease.  It seems you've gotten really lucky, as month-to-month rent is usually a lot more expensive than a long term lease.  If they haven't said anything about owing them extra money, then it must be the same.\n\nAnyways, if you look at your original lease, there will probably be something written that indicates the whole month-to-month issue.  While it can vary between management companies, the standard rule is that you just need to give them 30 days notice when on a month-to-month lease.  As long as you do that, you probably shouldn't owe them any money except for a partial months rent.\n\nI'm not a lawyer or anything, this is just my experience.  We're going through the same thing right now.
144777
Because it's likely in the lease. Rent might be different if more people were living there. I know that if I'm to have a guest for more than 2 weeks I need to inform my landlord and get their permission.
270908
If you are complying with the law, the landlord cannot make you move until your lease is up. If the landlord does not want to renew your lease, then you must move out. There is nothing legal that obligates the landlord to renew your lease.\nThe tenant must make efforts to get repairs made, damaged items replaced, or items cleaned (the labor might be done by either you or your landlord, depending on your agreement) that affect health and/or safety.  \n\nIf you do not promptly respond to these needs as each condition requires, the landlord can send you a written notice specifying that you have violated your lease contract and asking that you fix the problem within the next 14 days (if it is an emergency the landlord can ask for a shorter period of time). \n\nIf after 14 days (unless it is an emergency) you do not remedy the situation, the landlord can enter your apartment and fix the problem in a “workmanlike manner” and submit an itemized bill for the costs or the value of the repair and add this amount to your rent on the next date periodic rent is due (usually the 1st of every month). \n\nIf your lease has already ended, the landlord can ask for immediate payment. \n\nUnder the Landlord Tenant Act, the tenant is obligated to tell the landlord of needed repairs and to take care of the apartment. If you neglect maintenance issues, you are violating the law and could be evicted (see Violating The Lease\nUsually a landlord will try to resolve a problem with a tenant by talking to him/her first. The following are legal actions that a landlord can take against a tenant who is violating the lease. Most landlords will not take this kind of action unless it is absolutely necessary.\n\nIf you do not comply with any one of the conditions stated in the lease (or with the laws in the Landlord Tenant Act, see Tenant Duties), the landlord may deliver a written notice to you specifying the violations that you have made. The notice will also state that the landlord will end the lease and evict you in no less than 14 days. \n\nIf you fix the problem within 14 days the landlord cannot evict you. If the same problem happens again within 6 months, the landlord may send another written notice specifying the violation and evict you within 14 days (regardless of whether or not you correct the violation this time). \n\nIf you do not fix the problem within 14 days after getting the notice, the landlord may give you an extension. If he/she does not wish to give you an extension, the landlord can get a “Forcible Detainer Warrant” sent to you on behalf of the constable (this warrant is a notice that you will be Evicted unless you come to the trial date and defend yourself). The warrant will have a trial date stated on it. \n\nIf you receive this warrant, you should review it carefully and see a lawyer immediately (for a lawyer, see Legal Help). \n\nGO TO THE TRIAL! This hearing will determine whether or not you will be evicted. \n\nIf you are found guilty at the hearing (or you do not show up!), the sheriff or constable will physically remove you from your apartment a few days after the court date. \n\nFor more on eviction see Eviction. \n\nIf you do not comply with any of the conditions stated in the lease and your landlord is damaged as a result (either financially or in some other way), then the landlord can take you to court in order to get paid back (including attorney fees). \n\nIf you do not leave the apartment after the lease has ended, the landlord may take you to court to force you out of the apartment and sue you for more than 3 months rent, or three times the amount of damage sustained by the landlord, whichever is greater (plus attorney fees). \n\nThe tenant must pay rent at the time and place agreed upon by the tenant and landlord. The law specifies that unless a different agreement is made between both the landlord and tenant, the rent must be paid at the BEGINNING OF EACH MONTH of tenancy. In the case of a roomer, unless the renta
177309
It depends on the terms of the lease.  I suspect you'll have an assured shorthold tenancy - which lasts at least 6 months, but recently i've noticed agents pushing people to sign up for a 12 month minimum term. \n\nRead the terms of your lease and find out whether you've signed up for 6 months or 12 months.\n\nif you've signed up for a minimum term and don't move in, the agent will have to relet the flat.  they may not achieve the rent you were prepared to pay.  If they don't, they would be entitled to charge you the difference for the minimum term, together with the additional costs they've incurred in reletting the flat.\n\nThere's a lot more to it than that in legal terms, but that's a brief summary of your position
421723
Find the apartment you like and inquire about their policy for co-signers.  This is if you have a reliable family member or friend who is willing to cosign for you.  Most apartment communities will accept a local cosigner.\n\nRegarding what you have found, do NOT sign a lease until you know all that is involved and have asked others in the area if they are familiar with it. This place could be a dump and all maintenance responsibilites are yours.....
285634
You do not have to move when the 12 months is over.  You just sign a new lease at whatever the current rental rate is or start going month-to-month.  The only way you would have to move is if you got evicted, which is highly unusual.
522714
I sympathize with your situation, but unfortunately in most instances landlords are not required to tell you why they do not want to renew a lease.  Nor do they need to give you a reason why as to they are asking you to move; so long as they are giving you proper notice and are not prohibited from doing so by law or contract.\n\nIn this case it seems that they are giving you proper notice, so they are perfectly within their rights.  All I can do is hazard a guess as to the why in your situation: most likely, the new management company has different guidelines than the old company, and you do not fall within those guidelines.\n\nBest of luck in your search for a new rental.
218406
I have been wondering this myself.  You are so right, life isn't sure at all.  I have a lease where I am at until December and he has a lease where he is at until October.  ... I would like to buy a house in a couple of more years and I am not sure when it would be good for him to move in or if we will even still be an item.  It is just something out there.  Guess you just have to go with what you feel is best.
100299
Brian, \n\nMy apologies up front for not answering *your* question, I just felt the need to thank you so very much for your help and input on my rent/eviction/decision. I tried to find the same information you did (although I must say you do seem extremely knowledgeable) and came up empty handed. I so greatly appreciate your help. You have sincerely raised my faith in my fellow man almost back to where it was many moons and a wife ago. I hope great(-er) things come your way and I honestly am so thankful for your help.\nWith great respect,\nRobert
183760
I'm assuming that there is a lease involved here...\n\nTypically, in the leases that I've seen OWNERS and their agents have right to enter the property with reasonable notice (typically min 24 hours).\n\nRead the lease, typically this will be under the NOTICE paragraph or ENTRY paragraph or INSPECTION.\n\nIt is not uncommon for an owner to inspect an apartment/unit when a tenant gives notice and again at the lease termination.\n\nSounds to me like you are dealing with an a**.\n\nGood luck, hope this helps.
559356
Signing a lease a month or more in advance really isn't unusual.  If it were me, I would talk to this guy and see if he couldn't be flexible about how much of the deposit you put down.  In my experience, rental companies have required me to sign the lease as soon as I have made my decision and put down half of the deposit, but I have had until the move-in day to pay the rest of the deposit & first month's rent.  Really, it's up to the landlord or rental company, but he may be willing to work with you.  Especially because if you do sign the lease now, it's still a legal contract that says that you are obligated to pay him, even if you're not paying immediately.  It's worth a shot!