Can a landlord force a tenant to pay for an annual service contract on a furnace?
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Can a landlord force a tenant to pay for an annual service contract on a furnace?
Our landlord just presented us with a lease renewal and he changed one major provision, that the maintenance of the furnace is now our responsibility and that we are required to purchase a service contract with his oil provider. I called the oil provider and the annual fee is $249.
Asked on July 27, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Connecticut
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Under the laws of all states in this country, if a landlord wants to place a provision in the written lease agreement such as the tenant being responsible for paying the annual service contract on the rented unit's furnace and the tenants sign the agreement, such provision is legally binding upon all parties to the lease.
There is nothing illegal about such a provision. If you do not want to sign the agreement with the provision, the landlord cannot force you to do so. But if you do not sign the lease as written, the landord may lease the rental to some other person who will sign the lease with the annual service contract provision in it.
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