Q: Can my landlord impose a new monthly, recurring fee mid-lease for a new package retrieval system?
Landlord has purchased a new device which secures delivered packages for tenants and is now charging for this service monthly. Opt-out for this service was not mentioned in the notice and we are being charged on subsequent rent.
A: No, they may not. Whether this is a written or oral lease, the agreement that both parties executed or accented to at the very moment of consummation of the lease is the final agreement. It may not be altered or arbitrarily modified unilaterally by any party. A new charge during the performance of the lease that is not negotiated by both parties beforehand is an alteration and arbitrary change to the final agreement. Unless there is a term in the written lease permitting surprise charges this may be considered a violation of the lease agreement. Hope this helps.
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