NWR - WWYD?? Sorry kinda long...

EmilyL113 · February 2012

So, FI and I both sold our homes a few years back and decided to rent for a while ... we fell in LOVE with the house we're currently renting and literally jumped all over it as soon as we saw it b/c (me being in real estate) we knew it was a ridiculously great price. Like, he could literally get $250 more than we've giving him - at least. So we jumped on it and signed a 2 year lease off the bat, which is up in March. Our wedding is in April - so obviously we're not moving in the midst of all this maddness.

Anyway - we made it clear a few months back to the landlord and property manager that we wanted to extend for another year. The landlord was pumped but said he was going to have to raise the rent $100. We said no problem. So, the property manager e-mails me the new lease for us to sign last week. They didn't raise the rent. I just figured he forgot or changed his mind?? We signed it and she sent me an executed copy immediately with her signature on it as well. Aweomse!!! She called me yesterday telling me she made a mistake.... that's not what we verbally agreed to ... yada yada. Ok - but that's what we legally agreed to in writing!!! You think if I sold someone a house for 200K and then went back to the a week later and said I messed up, it's 205K that they wouldn't tell me to go to hell??

So I was a little assertive with her and told her I needed to talk to FI and would get back with her b/c this is not what we agreed to. I'm torn b/c we did tell them we'd pay the extra $100 a month when we first started talking about extending the lease. It would still be an awesome deal for the area. How would you handle this? Just call her back and say ok send me the new lease.... Or should I play a little hard ball??? I just know that we don't want to move... UGH! It's almost just the principal of the matter that I'm upset about.

Ok, this turned into a novel!!! Hahah!!!

venus909 · February 2012

That is a tough one... I wouldn't know what to do either! because you are right it's not what you agreed to in writing.

Since I don't like drama I would probably just let them fix their mistake ONLY if they have been good landlords otherwise and easy to deal with, because they did tell you beforehand. And especially since you don't want to move. But that's just me and I might be in the minority.

If they didn't tell you about the $100 ahead of time and then tried to come back and change it I for sure would not accept.

Not sure if that helps any...lol

minionlover · February 2012

Is it a management company that is doing up the lease? If it was I might try to say tough it's there fault otherwise I might negotiate a little. Have they been good landlords? If it were my situation where they haven't been good landlords, I would definitely hold them to the contract. The other thing that you may want to think about is whether or not you plan on resigning for next year. They may come back and raise the rent even more if you hold them to no increase this year.

jtoly · February 2012

I Agee with Cathy, if you want to stay there after your year lease is up you might not want to play hard ball. Maybe you can agree to the extra $100 lease but make it for 2 years since they screwed up. Yes you verbally agreed to it, but my thinking would be they decided not to raise it if I got the contract and it was the same price.

BMcLeodTeam · February 2012

This is tough because it depends on a lot on your longer term plans.

First of all, if you do plan on staying beyond this lease period they are going to totally raise a ton next year if you are playing hardball this year, and will be sure they cross their T's and dot their I's just because you gave them a harder time this year.

Also, if they have been great landlords, I'd be more likely to let it slide, especially if its still a great deal...

ElleB87 · February 2012

I would agree to pay the extra 100$. Yeah the written agreement would be held up in court but by saying "you snooze you lose" you're pretty much burning a bridge with a leasing company/landlord that has treated you well and that you have a good relationship with. You also said you loved the property...I highly doubt they would renew your lease next year if you try to re-neg the agreement.

11beck · February 2012

If you're planning on staying for awhile and they've been good landlords, I'd pay the extra 100. Like others said, if you play hardball now and have to sign again next year they might raise it a lot.