I live in a college town and attend University of Maryland. I just moved into a new building. Within a few weeks of moving in, we got a notice saying that if we received a noise violation we would be fined $75 per violation. (This was never stated in the lease).
About a month later, we recieved a notice saying that there was some damage done to the building because of parties (someone punched holes in the drywall in the hallway), and that no one was allowed to have parties anymore. If someone was found to be having a party, they would be fined $500 for the first offense, and evicted afterwards.
None of these "fines" or terms were ever in the lease we signed, and it seems like they are making up whatever stuff they feel like as they go along.
My real estate background tells me that they are not allowed to do this and any "changes" like this to a lease we would have to sign off on.
I complained to management but they didn't care. What can I do??
2007-10-20 17:08:11 · 6 answers · asked by Alex G 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
READ YOUR LEASE!
Often leases are written in vague terms and allow for such rules to be placed on the property. If no rules are mentioned, you do not owe anything to the management office. If they feel a need to fine you for enjoying the property you are paying for within the terms of the lease I suggest you sue them in return. It is reasonable that there is a new apartment manager who is a light sleeper and simply does not know any real estate law.
Or, they are fully aware that their notices are out of line but posted them anyway because they think you are all a bunch of gullible kids
2007-10-20 17:25:59 · answer #1 · answered by linkus86 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Read your lease. There may be a clause in your lease that gives the management the right to add these items at any time with notice.
What I would ask, and make sure you get a clear answer in writing on, is what constitutes a party? Is 5 people over watching a game a party? Is a study group a party? Having your family over for dinner with your roommates a party?
Send an email or better yet a certified letter asking them to clarify for you what they mean by "party". You may find that they mean 25 people and a keg are not allowed. If they mean 2 people and a pizza, they are not giving you the right to reasonably use enjoy your apartment.
It seems to me, that there are a few apartments who have been causing problems, and they need to give notices to everyone so they can enforce the policies to the few who have been causing the issues.
Try to handle it amicably if you can, and you may find that the management is actually trying to create a quieter more peaceful building for the majority of their residents.
Good Luck!
2007-10-21 10:20:51 · answer #2 · answered by K&A 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Read your lease very carefully. Somewhere in all that small print there's a section which covers rules, especially on noise, distubances, and property damage.
It sounds like you have some animals living in that new building and the property manager is trying to stop the few rowdies that are disturbing the other tenants.
2007-10-21 00:54:15 · answer #3 · answered by bdancer222 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Landlords can amend a lease and have you resign the agreement. If you do not resign, they can make it rough on you and probably not agree to let you renew your lease. Call your local Apartment Association as well as the Attorney General for your area and do two things. Make a complaint and ask the question you asked here. In writing
2007-10-21 00:18:40 · answer #4 · answered by Bill P 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
They can't change your lease until renewal time.
2007-10-21 00:14:09 · answer #5 · answered by shipwreck 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I'd have a party and then tell them their fine is not legal and you are not gonna pay it. Tell them to sue you!
2007-10-21 00:18:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋