Our landlord is forcing us to sign a month by month lease. what can we do?

Question

We were looking to buy a house but were unable to find one before our lease at the old apartment expired. So we decided to rent another apartment in the neighborhood where we wanted to buy the house. We wanted to do a 6 month lease, hoping to find a house to buy in that time, but at the place that we liked the landlord wanted to do a one year lease only. We agreed. Now 4 month later they decided that they want to sell it and want us to sign a month/month lease. We don’t agree, we have a 4 month old baby and it would be really hard for me to keep the house neat all the time and we would have to go somewhere while the place is being shown. And if they find a buyer where are we supposed to go with a baby? (we have not been looking for a house in these 4 month because of the baby, 1 year lease, and the thought that prices are going to drop by this summer) Now they are forcing us to sign it and their agent is going to come by next week to pick up the papers.
Can they force us to do it?

Answer 1

No. 1, if you are under a lease, your landlord cannot pester you during that duration. I.E.--he cannot make you keep the house in a certain condition.

No. 2, What state do you live in? I may be able to help you. Send an email to me with corresponding email address. My email is [e-mail]. If I cannot help you myself, I will do my best to contact someone who will. I know the situation you're in. I've been there myself. I will do my best.

Answer 2

I think everyone made it clear to you that your Landlord must honor your 1 year contract. I have three things to add:

Because the 1-year lease must be upheld by the Landlord, DO NOT SIGN ANY MORE CONTRACTS or LETTERS that the Landlord ask you to sign. Simply refuse and walk away. No one can FORCE you to sign anything.

Second, be sure to READ your current 1-year lease carefully and make sure you are following all the rules. So if it says you have to take out the trash, or maintain heat to a certain temperature, or shovel the walk, or cut the grass, or anything else, make sure that you do EXACTLY what it says. If you do not, you could be in what's called "default" of the lease, and that could be a reason for your Landlord to try to evict you (which by the way, is pretty hard in most states).

Last, be sure to PAY your rent, on time, the day before its due. DO NOT MISS ANY RENT PAYMENTS.

If the Landlord harasses you, file a complaint with your local police department.

Answer 3

First, Michael above doesn't know beans.

A landlord most certainly can make you keep the property in a certain condition. If you are not keeping it clean, storing garbage, not mowing the lawn, or violating city ordinances, etc., etc., etc., the landlord can require you to come into compliance or evict you from the property.

However, that wasn't your question.

Once you have a lease, it is legally binding on both parties. If the landlord is trying to coerce you into signing another contract, that can be viewed as harassment by the courts. Any contract may be rendered null and void by the courts as it was obtained under duress.

In addition, should the landlord sell the property, they cannot evict you and the new owners would have to abide by the terms of the lease contract, as it would predate the sales contract.

If you advise the real estate agent that you are being coerced into signing the contract and are not going to, they will stop the process. If they are a part of a less than transparent transaction, they can loose their license.

Good Luck

Answer 4

A lease is a legal contract. You'll need to read it through to see if there's anything there about the landlord breaking it. Even if there is, however, it's likely that your city, county, or even your state has laws about this sort of thing.

Your landlord can't force you to sign anything. Period. If he had the power to force you out, he wouldn't need you to sign anything. He's being a slime. Don't let him push you around.

Your first step should be to visit your local public library and try to find landlord/tenant law in your local municipal code. Try to look up information on leases and what a landlord needs to break a lease.

If that doesn't work out, it may be worth your while to pay a couple of hundred bucks for a few hours of a lawyer's time. That will be way cheaper than moving in the long run.

Be strong and stand up for your rights.

Answer 5

Your landlord cannot void out your existing lease. If he sells the place, the new owners will take over the existing lease, they can't change it, either. As far as showing the unit, he needs to give you "reasonable notice" which is generally understood to be 24 hours notice. I think you should make some attempt to keep it relatively presentable, but not feel obligated to go to heroic measures to make the place look like a showroom. Hey, it's your place and you live there. You might want to even try for a rent reduction if he expects steady access to your unit.

Answer 6

No. You have a lease, hold your ground. They are looking to increase the rent substantially or kick everyone out so that they can refurbish the property. If you can't afford an attorney, find the legal aid organization in your community.

Answer 7

Some rules can vary by state, but you have a one year signed lease. He can't take that away without going through the proper legal channels, so no, he can't force you to sign it. Stick to your lease that you have.

Answer 8

No he can not force you to sign a monthly lease until the one year is up.

Answer 9

No, they have to honor the original lease.
sue them if they want to change it.
if you agree, you can change it...have them give you some money if they want it so bad

Answer 10

tell her/him to take it deep!!!