My mom is renting from a company that says she now owes $800 to them for
Nov & Dec. My question is. If they put down on the lease that she only had to pay a certain amont and then 3 months later they say that it was a mistake that the amount was higher and they want the back rent, does she have to pay the back rent even if it was their mistake? We live in California.

Hello ibyrd:

In real estate, the written contract is ALL that matters. If they made a mistake, it's THEIR mistake, and not your mothers. It's even more evident that it's THEIR mistake because they didn't catch it for some months. She not only doesn't owe them back rent, she only owes them what the written lease calls for each month.

She should write them a letter saying so. She should send it certified, return receipt requested. That should make them leave her alone. If not, she'll win in court. But, she needs to document everything from here on out.

excon