I have two friends who entered into a lease agreement in June 2006. The landlord had the husband sign a lease upon moving in. He then came back later with a revised lease that stated that they have a 13 month lease that expires on June 30 2007 and had the husband sign it too. He revised the lease to say that the tenants would be responsible for the property taxes from June 2006- Dec 2006 and then from January 2007-June 2007 as well as the homeowners insurance for the same time frames. The landlord did not list what those amounts are. He then listed that the tenants could purchase the home for 170K and that he could sell the home any time after January 31 2007. The landlord has told them this week that it is now time to pay the taxes. Is it legal or customary for a landlord to ask tenants to pay his property tax bill and homeowners insurance outside of the monthly rent?
2006-12-10 08:53:26 · 8 answers · asked by gr8tfriend 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
I have clarified with my friend that what she and her husband signed is a regular residential lease. Toward the end of the lease in the other terms sections the owner hand wrote that the tenants will have first option to purchase the property on or after Jan 21, 2007. The owner also stated that the lessee will be sole responsible for the property taxes and insurance for the said property until the lease ends or terminates. All of this is written on a Residential lease that was downloaded from www. Socrates.com. I hope this helps.
2006-12-10 09:41:29 · update #1
It is not illegal, but not a customary request on residential property (somewhat common in certain commercial leases). The first mistake was signing the revised lease after the original lease was signed. If the original lease was canceled and the revised lease was signed "the husband" is liable to pay the property taxes and the homeowners insurance outside of the monthly rent. This is a prime example why anyone entering into an agreement should fully understand the contract before signing.
2006-12-10 09:15:46 · answer #1 · answered by linkus86 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, It is not customary, but I it is probably not illegal. The owner of the property is ultimately responsible for property taxes, water, sewer, special assesments, etc, but he could pass those costs along. It sounds like the lease is a lease with an option to buy. In that case you might it might be more common to have a have a net-net lease, ie tenants pay for taxes, insurance, minor repairs, etc. Sorry to state the obvious, but grandpa was right when he said always read any contract you are signing and if you are not sure see a lawyer or don't sign. Property taxes and homeowerners insurance are usually paid twice per year.
2006-12-10 09:07:22 · answer #2 · answered by Gatsby216 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NOT JUST NO.. BUT HELL NO!!!!
It is not legal or customary for a landlord to ask tenants to pay his property tax bill and property insurance outside of the monthly rent!
A lease agreement is just the same as renting, and when you rent an apartment you don't pay extra to pay the owners taxes and insurance.
Now if your Friends signed a Lease with an Option to buy there maybe something in the option Contract that says they are responsible for the insurance but not the taxes.
If the property is in the name of the landlord then the landlord pays the taxes. Who ever is on record of ownership, like a deed or title then that person pays the county taxes.
If your friends are buying the house, in some sort of seller back financing then maybe they have to pay these things. But this is different from just a lease to rent a place to live.
Find out what kind of lease they have....
2006-12-10 09:08:32 · answer #3 · answered by swalker964 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is legal, but not customary to have the tenants cover property taxes and home owner's insurance. There's more to this than you're telling us because it's hard to imagine that a person would sign a lease and agree to such huge costs without being aware of what they're doing.
Your friend could always tell the owner to go pound sand.
Regards
2006-12-10 09:33:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As for as I know, it is the landlord responsibility to pay property taxes and insurance...The landlord cannot revised the lease once it is signed.....You should have your friend take all of the lease statements to a lawyer and go from there.
2006-12-10 09:11:52 · answer #5 · answered by stiletto 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
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RE :Can a landlord request that you pay his property taxes and home owners insurance premiums yearly.?
I have two friends who entered into a lease agreement in June 2006. The landlord had the husband sign a lease upon moving in. He then came back later with a revised lease that stated that they have a 13 month lease that expires on June 30 2007 and had the husband sign it too. He revised the lease to say that the tenants would be responsible for the property taxes from June 2006- Dec 2006 and then from January 2007-June 2007 as well as the homeowners insurance for the same time frames. The landlord did not list what those amounts are. He then listed that the tenants could purchase the home for 170K and that he could sell the home any time after January 31 2007. The landlord has told them this week that it is now time to pay the taxes. Is it legal or customary for a landlord to ask tenants to pay his property tax bill and homeowners insurance outside of the monthly rent?
Update: I have clarified with my friend that what she and her husband signed is a regular residential lease. Toward the end of the lease in the other terms sections the owner hand wrote that the tenants will have first option to purchase the property on or after Jan 21, 2007. The owner also stated that the lessee will be sole responsible for the property taxes and insurance for the said property until the lease ends or terminates. All of this is written on a Residential lease that was downloaded from www. Socrates.com. I hope this helps.
Follow 8 answers
2017-03-14 21:02:26 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not for straight rentals. That amount is factored into the rent. I have no experience with rent-to-own properties though
2006-12-10 09:05:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like they are trying to get a rent to buy..
and this contract looks at present to be geared to the landlords favor and just these renters.."right of first refusal" until.. Jan.07
i havn't read it..yet...but ..that's what i am reading.
2006-12-10 09:09:15 · answer #8 · answered by m2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋