Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

I signed a nine month lease to rent out a room in a woman's townhome in CA. I moved in on July 27, 2012. I asked for a copy of the lease and was suprised to see that she had handwritten additional rules of the house. One of the rules states that guests are to leave no later than 11:00pm (I had friends over to watch a movie in my room and they left around 1:00am. Apparently she did not like that...). I do not agree with this rule, have not re-signed the lease and want to know if the lease is still valid or enforceable. At this point I am leary of anything else she may add and want to move out asap, but do not want to be held liable of paying the full lease (nine months).


Asked on 8/06/12, 9:08 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Daniela Loomis Law Office of Daniela N. Loomis

One cannot unilaterally change a contract to add new obligations that the other party never agreed to. The contract that governs your relationship with the landlord is the lease you both signed, not the one she modified. Whatever she adds, you would have to agree to, in order for the new lease to be binding.

Read the original lease and see what the provisions are for an early termination. Good luck to you!

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Answered on 8/06/12, 11:41 pm


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