Hyattsville, MD asked in Civil Litigation, Contracts, Real Estate Law and Animal / Dog Law for Virginia

Q: Does a lease voids when the home is sold in VA? I signed the lease in 2007 and it stated nothing about not having pets

On the bottom of each page on the lease states this contract is for use by ___. Use by any other party is illegal and voids the contract. So can the new landlord put an X where the pets section is without us both signing? Is this contract valid? Is my landlord in the wrong for threatening me about my 11 month old puppy that I’ve had since she was 9 weeks?

1 Lawyer Answer
F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
Answered
  • Alexandria, VA
  • Licensed in Virginia

A: Generally in Virginia, when there is an existing lease in place and the owner/landlord sells the premises to a buyer, the lease remains in place, the buyer assumes the rights and obligations under the existing lease, and the lease's terms remain unchanged between the new owner/landlord and the tenant. Permission to have a dog in the premises depends on what is stated in the lease. Generally, the landlord must give permission for a dog to be a pet and live in the premises. If there is no permission given, the pet is not authorized and thus not permitted to live in the premises.

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