Columbus, OH asked in Landlord - Tenant for Ohio

Q: Am I liable for eviction if my landlord banned items without it being stated in the lease?

They sent out a notice banning space heaters, excessive TVs, fake fireplaces, mini fridges, microwaves and more but none of these things are in the lease. They don't have any banned items in the lease at all.

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered
  • Landlord Tenant Lawyer
  • Sacramento, CA

A: If your landlord has implemented new rules banning items like space heaters, TVs, and other appliances, but these were not originally included in your lease agreement, it can raise concerns about your rights and obligations. Generally, a lease agreement is a binding contract that outlines the terms both you and your landlord agree to follow. If specific items or rules were not prohibited in the signed lease, introducing new restrictions after the fact without your consent may not be enforceable in the same way as terms originally agreed upon in the lease.

However, landlords may have the right to update rules for safety reasons or to comply with new regulations. It's important to review your lease for any clauses that allow for rule changes or updates during the lease term. Communication with your landlord is key. Discuss your concerns and seek to understand the rationale behind these new restrictions. It might be possible to negotiate or reach a compromise that works for both parties.

If you feel that these new rules unfairly affect you or violate your lease terms, you might want to seek legal advice. A legal professional can help you understand your rights and options based on your specific situation and local laws. Remember, maintaining open and respectful communication with your landlord can often lead to a more favorable resolution for both sides.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.