I live in Pennsylvania and rent an apartment. My lease ends on July 31st, and I just notified my landlord on June 14th that I was not going to renew my lease. He stated that he sent 3 notification letters- one of which I received and it noted that I had to tell him by May 31 that I was not renewing. He also stated that since I did not contact him back, he automatically renewed my lease- is this right? Don't I have 30 days before the end of the lease to notify the landlord? Will I have to pay for another year? I'm freaking out, please help.
2006-06-14 09:05:12 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
I want to tell you all thanks for the good answers. Gladys, thanks for the advice on not freekin! (I honestly was freeking out for a minute)
2006-06-14 19:03:52 · update #1
Glynis sorry
2006-06-14 19:04:42 · update #2
There is no such thing as an automatically renewable lease. You must sign all lease agreements for them to be in effect. There is a month to month lease, which means that you are liable for the rent after the lease expires. Mind you on a month to month he can go up on rent every month if he so chooses. Additionally, on a month to month both parties can terminate the lease with a thirty day notice. Your lease expires on the date of termination as noted on your lease. Contact your local tenants rights agency and they will be able to give you better details. I wouldn't stess yourself, your landlord is propably bluffing. Although you are obligated to give him a written 30 day notice, you are not bound to another year of leasing from him.
Additonally, if he didn't hand the notices to you or someone 14 years or older or send you letters by certified mail, then the burden of proof is on him.
Bottom line stop stressing, give him your 30 day notice (written and certified) and contact your local tenants rights organiation. What he is trying to do is illegal.
2006-06-14 17:12:12 · answer #1 · answered by Glynis 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You must read your current lease. It must state the notification period for non-renewal. If it says 60 days, he's right. If it says 30 days, you're safe to go, but just to be sure, I'd send him another letter, and have it delivered with "Return Receipt Requested", as proof that he got it. In either case, notification is satisfied on the day that he gets it, and it can be any day of the month. One way to mes with a jerk for a landlord, is to give him notice on the 3rd or 4th of the month. Almost nobody moves in after the first, so most likely he'll be stuck with an empty apartment for nearly 30 days.
2006-06-14 16:28:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read your lease agreement. It should state clearly what is required from you regarding renewal (or not renewing) of your lease. If you did not sign a renewal agreement, than I would question the validity of an automatic renewal, I mean we're not talking about the automatic renewal of an online subscription or magazine that you have to cancel. The worst that they can do without a signed renewal from you and the fact that you may have missed the cutoff date you were required to notify them by, is they keep your deposit.
2006-06-14 16:38:14 · answer #3 · answered by nech58 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read your contract. It does not sound right and it would not be legal here in Washington.
2006-06-14 16:11:19 · answer #4 · answered by davidmi711 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋