Hello everyone,

We have lived in this single family home for over a year, and when our lease was up, we elected to re-sign for another year. The first year was problem free in the home, but recently we have had some issues the landlord has needed to address (And has in turned cost her money). I am not happy with the way some of these things were handled, and especially her attitude throughout the entire process. As such, we would like to find a way out of our current lease.

Here is where it gets odd, and I want to know if this would stand up (Looking for some advice here before I contact an attorney).

My wife and I are on the original agreement, and still live together in the house. For the renewal, our landlord just simply crossed out the original termination date and rent amount, and wrote in the new values. She had me (And only me) initial where she made changes and had me sign/date under the original signatures.

My questions are:

Will this hold up? Does this constitute a new agreement? My wife did not sign the new agreement, so do we have any recourse there?

Thank you for your help.

Brandon

Hello Brandon:

Depending on the state you live in, either party to a marriage can encumber the other party. In terms of the law, you are a unit.

I don't think you can break the lease. I don't think hiring an attorney is going to help you. The law is clear on the matter. You can read it yourself. We have a copy right here at the top of this forum on a sticky note.

excon

You may have given your wife a way out but when you initialled the that document you bound yourself to the new agreement. LL and tenants can be stinkers to each from time to time but that doesn't mean you need to walk away. If you did not like her attitude you should not have initialled the new document.