If we currently have a month-to-month lease and our landlord now wants us to sign a lease with drastic changes, do we have to?
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If we currently have a month-to-month lease and our landlord now wants us to sign a lease with drastic changes, do we have to?
Our current lease is verbal. Now our landlord is making demands and asking us to pay far more than agreed upon as well as changing who the landlord is. We pay $600 a month for the downstairs apartment of a 2 floor house. The landlord wants us to now pay the rent plus all utilities. She is also making many other demands. What rights do I have?
Asked on June 9, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Tennessee
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Your landlord cannot force you to sign a lease; no one can ever be made to sign a valid legal document under duress. However, since your rental agreement is verbal under the law you are considered to be a month-to-month tenant. Accordingly your landlord can give you a 30 day notice to terminate if she chooses. Therefore, if you cannot reach an agreement with her expect to be given notice. I suggest that you start looking for another rental ASAP.
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