Q: Pendleton, OR, Umatilla Co. Can a new landowner force already established tenants to enter a new month to month lease?
I have been in the same place 14 mos, beginning with a 6 mo lease, month to month there after and have had no negative marks. The property was suddenly sold and I was assured by the new owner the lease would be adopted and to expect no changes, now a property management co is attempting requirement of a new lease with new requirements. It does not change the rent amount but everything else and includes new restrictions we never had before like that I can't smoke outside anywhere on the property. I've never smoked inside anyway and have always had a designated container for butts, just as an example. Can I refuse to sign the new lease without ramifications?
A: Yes, generally speaking a landlord can require a tenant to sign a new lease with proper notice. Many of the changes are likely possible anyway if the landlord issues them as Rules and Regulations with proper notice. Whether smoking changes is material enough to avoid being changed in a Rules and Regulations change is a close call in my opinion and a Judge could rule either way. Whether they could evict you for failure to sign, if they jump through the right notice hoops, now during Covid, is another close call and ultimately up to the Judge if it goes that far.
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