Does a tenant have a copy of the signedfor it to be effective?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Does a tenant have a copy of the signedfor it to be effective?
Isn’t me not having a copy of the lease I signed a breach of contract of some sort? That wouldn’t be fair if my landlord could hold me responsible for the a lease they said they would give me a copy of and 2 months into the lease, still haven’t.
Asked on October 27, 2010 under Real Estate Law, Minnesota
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
The lease has to be signed by you for it to be effective against you. The fact that you do not have a copy may or may not matter under the law in your state. But you have every right to demand it. Not having it does not necessarily constitute a breach unless the lease so states or again, the law in your state so states. I am siding on the side of no breach. But I would indeed check out what your options are here. I would never ever sign again without getting a copy right then and there. Try this: send a letter to your landlord indicating that you have repeatedly requested a copy of the signed lease and you have been patient but that he or she has not complied. Ask that you receive a copy within 10 days or you will seek advice from an attorney as to you options here. Then do so if you do not get it. Good luck.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.