Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California
My one year lease is up on April 30. I refused to extend the lease and gave 60 days notice after April 30 (move out on June 30). He is asking me to move at the end of the lease unless I sign a 2-month extention with rent prepaid in full in cashiers check by April 15. What's my ground to stop him? He already has 2 month deposits and I've been paying my rent in full and on time.
1 Answer from Attorneys
You can't unilaterally extend a lease 60 days. When the lease is up, you must either agree to convert to a month to month on terms acceptable to you and the owner, agree to an extension on mutually acceptable terms between you and the owner, sign a new lease on terms agreeable to you and the owner, or move out. As you may have noticed, you only get to stay with your landlord's consent on terms he will accept. Much in the law is actually pretty simple and common sense. The basic rule of contracts, and leases are contracts, is "a deal is a deal." You agreed to lease for a specified term. If you want to extend your occupancy, and the original deal you made (i.e., the lease) doesn't contain an extension provision, you have to reach a new deal with the landlord, or move out.