quote:

ORIGINAL: pahunkboy

legal aid- yes!  ok- i located the number.

the property is changing hands. current lease- has all utilities included. the sales agreement  says that tenant is to finish out lease...

quote:

ORIGINAL: gardenia100

Ok, I can tell you in Michigan if you have the lease he has to abide by the lease even if from previous owner.  When he bought it he bought the old agreed lease till it expires.  He can not do anything to make life difficult while you reside under the old lease such as having utilities turned off and such.  After the lease expires he would then have to go through the motions of having you evicted.  Michigan about 3 months to get through all the steps.  Least up where I live.  So that gives you time to look, and come up with a new game plan. But after the lease expires and he wants to up the rent there is nothing you can do about it.  Now remember I am only talking about Michigan, I don't know the rules and laws of your state.  We also have programs here that will help supliment rents for those of low income to cover rents.  Check with the local HUD office and they should be able to point you in a direction. 

Barbara

quote:

ORIGINAL: GrizzlyBear

quote:

ORIGINAL: pahunkboy

legal aid- yes!  ok- i located the number.

the property is changing hands. current lease- has all utilities included. the sales agreement  says that tenant is to finish out lease...

Been around the block with a couple landlords myself, and was one for a while.  A lease is a lease, it is a binding contract, and unless otherwise specified in the lease it is also just as binding on the lessor's successor.  That means it stays in force even if the property has been sold.

Read it.  What are the conditions under which he can terminate?  When does it expire?

If it is only month to month, he has to give you a notice in writing of one rental period unless a different time of notice is specified, and you are pretty much at his mercy for the price after that.  If the lease duration is for a longer time, then you can stay under current terms till it expires.  After that he can probably do what he wants to the price as far as renewing it unless there is a renewal option clause in it.  Those are not common in residential leases.

If you do have a bunch of time left on your lease, he is trying to bluff you into accepting different terms.  Once you sign, its over and he's won.  Know your rights.  Talk to the attorneys at Legal Aid.  Find out if there is a special court to resolve landlord-tenant disputes.  Find out what your options are, and don't settle for less than you are due.