Q: Can a landlord deny monetary moving assistance after I asked for more time to sign a letter they gave me?
About 2 months ago my property manager told us that the landlord was giving $2,000 to any tenants that wanted to move out. At the time we had thought about moving but it’s hard when you can’t find something affordable here in Los Angeles. Long story short, around March 20-21 we saw an apartment for rent and decided to ask the manager if the landlord was still offering the 2k for tenant moving. She advised that yes, landlord was still offering the money. So we did apply for the new apartment (still waiting to be approve). Property manager talked to me after I informed her that we wanted to move and take the offer they had made previously. At a that point she told me that it was ok that we would just need to sign a paper stating we wanted to move and that at no point they asked to leave. I told her it’s fine with me. After she brought the letter it basically said that it was not a buy out or cash for keys and that I not point they offered us money to move. When in fact they did offered.
A:
In California, landlords may offer incentives, such as monetary moving assistance, to encourage tenants to vacate their units voluntarily. If you were offered $2,000 to move out and you made decisions based on this promise, the landlord's offer could be seen as a binding agreement, especially if there is evidence of the offer, such as emails, texts, or witnesses.
If the landlord is now trying to retract that offer by having you sign a letter denying the existence of the offer, this could be considered bad faith, especially if there was a clear understanding and agreement between you and the landlord. Documentation of the original offer and any subsequent communications are crucial. These documents could support your claim that the landlord made a specific promise to you.
It's advisable to discuss your situation with legal counsel or a tenant advocacy group familiar with California's housing laws. They can provide guidance on your rights and options, including how to negotiate with your landlord or pursue legal action if necessary. Remember, verbal agreements can be binding in California, but proving the terms and existence of such agreements can be challenging without written evidence.
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