Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

I am residing in California. What should I do when my landlord forged my initials with a new lease contract to a higher amount. My lease terminated in the middle of the month, hence the office prorated correctly for the previous rental rate and the new rental rate under the signed contract. Then the following month withdrew the higher amount and replaced my lease contract with the forged one. I addressed this to the office and now they want me to come in and sign another contract. Should I even do so? I don't have the original copy of the specific pages that were forged but do have other documentation that specified the original amount.


Asked on 9/17/11, 1:16 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys

Joel Selik www.SelikLaw.com

You might have a good case for fraud depending on what facts can be proven.

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Answered on 9/17/11, 2:28 pm
Bryan Whipple Bryan R. R. Whipple, Attorney at Law

A good case for fraud requires that you have suffered some financial harm at the hands of the fraudster. Here, the way you have written your facts, it sounds like the forged lease gave you a lower rental rate, rather than higher. I think it's likely ti you mis-wrote, or I mis-read, your facts. Nevertheless, if you haven't sustained any loss, you have nothing to ask for in a lawsuit. Just have a frank discussion with the landlord and get a properly-executed lease.

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Answered on 9/18/11, 4:08 pm


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