Whether a lease or a month-to-month rental agreement is better depends on the situation. A lease for a fixed term (such as 6 months or a year) locks both parties in for that period of time. The landlord may not evict (unless the tenant misbehaves by failing to pay the rent, wrecking the place, etc.) Read more…
Moving In The Middle Of A Lease – Breaking Your Lease
Breaking Your Lease Normally, you cannot move out in the middle of a lease. You signed it, so you are bound by it, just as the landlord is. You cannot simply “break” a lease. There are exceptions however, such as when the landlord has breached the lease. The tenant may break the lease if the Read more…
Oral Rental Agreements
Oral Rental Agreements Are Binding Usually tenants and landlords are bound by an oral rental agreement. The “statute of frauds” requires rental agreements for more than a certain length of time (normally one year) to be in writing. Most states still allow the Common Law month-to-month rental agreement to be either oral or written. Both are to Read more…
Can Landlord Increase My Security Deposit? Q&A
Q. I have lived in the same apartment complex for over two years. When I first rented the apartment I paid a $650 security deposit, which was equal to my monthly rent. I have been a good tenant, have not damaged my apartment nor have I brought in to my residence any pets. A few days Read more…
Getting Evicted When There Is A Lease – Tenant Rights
Unless you misbehave, a landlord may not kick you out in the middle of a lease. A lease for a fixed length of time (a year, or 6 months, for example) is binding on both parties. You promise to pay the rent for that period, and he promises to let you stay for that period. Read more…