If the owner of a property gives a realtor permission to renttheproperty and the realtor does so, can theowner not honor it?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

If the owner of a property gives a realtor permission to renttheproperty and the realtor does so, can theowner not honor it?

A lease was signed and a money given. I have the receipt for the security deposit and 1st months rent. But since the owner was not first informed of the rental by the realtor, the owner does not want to honor the agreement. What rights do I have at this point?

Asked on April 12, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Maryland

Answers:

M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

I am looking at the word permission in the sense that an agreement was entered in to between the realtor and the owner.  Now, was the rental agreement in writing or was it only oral and on a handshake?  Oral agreements or contracts are enforceable under the law as long as they do not violate what is known as the statute of frauds, which says that certain agreements must be in writing to be valid and enforceable. Here is the part that bothers me: WHO signed the lease agreement?  Did you?  As what: agent of the owner?  That part could indeed be a problem if you had no authority.  If, however, the owner signed the lease and the renter is a potential witness, then I would sue the owner for your commission.  Good luck. 


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption