Landloard Tenant Early Lease Termination?

Question

I recently moved to PA and signed a three month lease from June thru August 2007. In august I sent a letter to the apartment requesting to extend the lease another six months, they verbally accepted the extension. We did not sign a new contract, even though I verbally requested to do so.

I recently decided to move out and gave 45 days notice. The landlord wants me to pay a 2 month penalty per the lease for early termination.

I told the landloard that I would pay the rent thru 11/30/07 when I move out and gave the 45 days notice (30 are required).

I stated that since we did not sign a new contract when the lease expired in August, I was following the part of the lease that said if the tenant does not move out at the end of the lease it automatically renews for the same period as the origional (3 months -ending 11/30/07)

My question is; Is the letter I sent requesting to extend the lease leagally binding? or is the arguement that I made above legitimate?

Answer 1

You made an offer in writing. The landlord did not accept it in writing. Therefore there is no agreement that supercedes the written lease that you already have. Any verbal agreement is superceded by the written agreement already in place. Since it stated that it would automatically renew for 3 months, your liability for rents expires at the end of November.

The offer in your letter would have been legally binding if the landlord had accepted it in writing. Since he did not, your offer died and you revert to the written agreement already in place.

Answer 2

You sent a letter requesting your lease to be extended and they obliged. You need to pay the termination fee. In the meantime, post an AD on craigslist and try to find someone to take over the lease and if they pass the requirements set forth by the landlord, you can avoid some of the fees.

In the future, make sure you are clear on terms and conditions regarding your lease agreement and dates.

Good Luck

Answer 3

a verbal contract is nearly as good as a written one

what you need to aim for is a win win

tell the agent to get another tennant on a new lease ASAP to take over.

i am afraid you have to pay until the new tennant starts
or to end of 6 months.

if you refuse to pay you will get a black star on your credit rating, I am sure you dont want that to happen.