Q: Provo, UT landlord wants says move out for 2 months for major renovations on entire complex-lease has 6 month -can they?
Owners told management they don't know when renovations will occur but that we'll have at least 30 days notice. That's nice, but I would like to not move out until my lease is up 3 months after the approximate renovation date. I find no clause in the lease that lets the landlord kick me out for renovations, even with advanced notice. Can neighbors and I fight this?
Union Square Apt Complex in Provo was sold - chill owner whose son did management was replaced by unknown investors hiding behind a big property management company that runs 1/2 of Provo - Redstone Residential. Some renovations will be simple modernization, like updating laundry from quarters to debit, some is unnecessary additions like a gym, even though most of us are students who use the university or city rec centers, some is intense internal renovations. They are going to increase rent by $200 a month, moving it from middle of the road costs (which is very hard to find here, it's all either trash or super fancy...).
A:
That is a pretty bizarre request. How and when a landlord can get you to leave is partially governed by state law, no matter what the contract says.
The contract will define most of your relationship with your landlord. Whether or not the contract allows for something like this is not as easy as it sounds. An attorney will need to look at the contract to verify what you think it says.
My expectation, but I wouldn't know for sure without seeing the contract, is that the contract did not cover a situation like this, and the landlord is breaching the contract, which would allow everyone out of their contracts. If that were true, you might have reason to sue the landlord for your costs related to finding a new apartment. One side to a contract, like the landlord, cannot change the contract terms on their own.
Don't make any decisions based on the info above. I highly recommend you meet with an attorney and get their take on the contract. The fact that so many people have the same problem means that you could possibly split the costs of an attorney reviewing your contract if cost is an issue.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
