Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Can I add my name on the lease?

While I was in Europe, the management compnay changed, adn my husband took the lease on his name. The problem is that I have been the one paying the rent for 4 years before that and I am still the one paying for it now, with personal checks. I did ask the landlord to add my name on the lease at least, because I am the one who pays, and he did refuse. Is that legal? What can I do to have my name added on the lease?


Asked on 2/24/07, 11:50 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Steven Lynes Lynes & Associates

Re: Can I add my name on the lease?

I assume that your husband signed a new lease, superseding the one that you were presumably party to. Your question is apparently, can you "force" the landlord to add you to the lease?

No. I find it curious that the landlord would not want to add to the lease since it provides them another person to go after if the lease is breached.

Besides refusing to pay any more rent, I do not see any other options. The fact that you have been paying the rent for 4 yrs. may demonstrate that you're sold tenant - but it does not give you any legal standing to inject yourself into the lease.

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Answered on 2/26/07, 4:58 am


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