[krish_nkam]

Hi,
I had signed a lease for a room for rent that ends in feb, 2012. In January beginning, I had texted the manager of the house I would extend my lease till June but towards the end of January, I decided not to and told him so verbally. I did not sign any documents to extend the lease in spite of him e-mailing a document stating the extension. But he is adamant that I will have to pay for the four months rent till June since I said I will continue and he did not sign up other people for the same time. Am I supposed to pay in spite of not signing any documents? Also, If I vacate the room without paying the 'four months rent he is claiming' , and he decides to take me to the court for the same, what is the likely outcome of the case?

[ballengerb1]

When you extended you both agreed to that, that's what it takes, both in agreement. Now you want to alter that agreement and he doesn't agree. The law says the extension is still in force. The likey outcome if you go to court would be that you will have a judgement againist you for lost rent and any/all advertising fees he may have incurred in trying to rerent the room. This type of law exists in most areas but we really should know where this room is located.

[AK lawyer]

Does an agreement to extend a lease have to be in writing? - probably not.

If it does, does a text message qualify as a writing? - probably.

If so, will he be able to prove that you sent him that text? Perhaps not, he may not have kept it.