Is a verbal contract valid?
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Is a verbal contract valid?
I am behind on rent to my landlord. He agreed in email last month for me to repay him an additional $250 per month until the rent was caught up. He gave me the amount I owed and agreed to repayments. I received an contract in an email today, stating I would have to owe him interest and late fees. This was never discussed last month. Do I have to sign this contract or is the verbal email contract valid? If I went to eviction court would this email contract by valid?
Asked on October 25, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Maryland
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
With respect to your question about a landlord tenant issue, such is a valid agreement even if the agreement between you and the landlord is verbal. The issue is proving a verbal agreement is typically proving the written agreement since a written agreement is dated and signed by the parties.
The problem with the written agreement sent you is that the landlord seemingly never intended the oral agreement to be binding. As such, if you want to remain in the unit you occupy, signing the written agreement seems to be the best course of staying in it.
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