Q: Never signed a lease & living month 2 month. Now I have to pay!
My lease expired in April. In March I received a notice from my leasing office stating that I needed to make a decision. I decided to do a month to month lease. I was told to write a letter stating that I would need my lease renewed/extended. I initially wrote that I want to stay from April to June. The agent from the office called me to verify and I told her I would be moving in July. I never signed a new lease. I stopped by to ask more about the moving process when the property manager told me that I cannot move without paying August's rent because I did not give 30 days notice. I told her that the agent told me that I did not need to provide a notice because it was month to month. She told me all I had to do was bring my keys in at the end of July. Do I have to pay this rent? How can I get out of this? Also, I have a voicemail with the leasing agent confirming my dates of when I will be moving. She no longer works at the apartment complex as well.
A:
A month to month lease would normally require notice equal to the term of the lease -- 30 days in other words.
If the agent agreed to a SHORTER THAN ONE YEAR lease verbally, that however MAY be binding and not require additional notice. You NEED to talk to a local landlord tenant attorney to review the situation and determine if there is an 'out' here. If not, remember, your worse case situation is one extra month's rent. Consider that tuition to the school of life, and in the future remember, verbal agreements are worth the paper they are written on. Get it in writing!
I'd advise you to consult with a local lawyer ASAP though. There may be a solution for you in the details.
-- This answer is offered for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney/client relationship.
I am licensed to practice in Michigan only. Please seek competent local legal help if you feel you need legal advice
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