Can a property management company restrict freedom of speech by including an addendum that states that clients may not post negative or disparaging reviews on social media sites?
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Can a property management company restrict freedom of speech by including an addendum that states that clients may not post negative or disparaging reviews on social media sites?
I feel that it’s in violation because I never made any untruthful remarks.
Asked on June 16, 2015 under Real Estate Law, Texas
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
It is legal; a landlord (or an employer, for that matter) can restrict freedom of speech at will, since "freedom of speech" as a right only applies to the government: that is, the government is forbidden from restricting speech, but private entities are allowed to. However, a lease addendum cannot be added in the middle of a lease term, but only when a lease begins or renews. So the landlord is allowed to do this, but may not be able to do it right now. If you don't want to live with such a restriction, your recourse is to move out and live elsewhere.
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