Is it legal to have to sign a binding lease for an apartment before you are allowed to see the inside?
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Is it legal to have to sign a binding lease for an apartment before you are allowed to see the inside?
Asked on December 5, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
It is completely legal, and not all that uncommon--for example, when people relocate across country (or from another country), such as for job reasons, they often have to lease without physically viewing the premises.
It may be a bad idea (at least when there is any other option), but it's not illegal. If a landlord refuses to allow you to see the inside of the premises, that almost certainly means he has something to hide and its an especially bad idea to do this...but the law does not make bad ideas illegal. If you choose to sign the lease in that circumstance, it will be enforceable.
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