Q: Can a landlord require me to sign a lease 8 months before my current lease ends? They said to sign or not be renewed.
I have a current lease at a UCF affiliated apartment that ends 31-July. I've paid rent every month, even when not in apartment.
In November, the manager said I had to sign a lease for Fall 2020 term or lose my apartment. I wasn't sure if I would need the apartment that far out; however, I felt coerced, so I signed. Now, with UCF closed, I am not in the apartment. School is closed for Summer and I will not be back at UCF campus in fall.
I would like to give 60 notice that I do not want to renew the lease. But since I signed a new lease 9 months ago, am I stuck with paying for another year when I will not be in the apartment? I've tried sub-leasing, but no luck. There is nothing in my agreement that says when I have to give notice or when the landlord has to tell me they won't renew. But looking online, it seems like 60 days is when notice should be given by landlord or tenant.
Is November lease valid?
Thanks
A:
If the "UFC affiliated apartment" is not owned and operated by UCF you are legally bound by the lease. However, under these unique circumstances I would advise you to give the landlord a 60 day WRITTEN notice--which notice should tell the landlord exactly why you are giving notice--and then not be too concerned about it until we all get a great deal closer to August.
Rational: The (very fearful) landlord has probably done the same thing to many other students, all of whom have been "injured" by a unique set of circumstances not of their making. By giving the landlord a 60 day notice--complete with explanation--you will have protected yourself as best you can; and I do not think the landlord will have the resources to sue a bunch of students all at the same time--because doing so is very expensive. Hang in there and see what happens.
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