Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

I am a small business owner that has been renting a location for 3 1/2 yrs at $1000. utilities included. today we recieved a letter from the owner saying that he is not raising our rent but utilities will be added to each rent amount, effective in 15 days...... we are in a wharehouse setting individual businesses on the same meters. how will this be calculated??? and can he do this mid month after we payed out rent?? we have till tomorrow to sign the new agreement or provide a letter saying that we will be out in 30 days......


Asked on 10/18/11, 6:32 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Bryan Whipple Bryan R. R. Whipple, Attorney at Law

The first thing any attorney will ask is whether you have a lease. Commercial tenants are usually on leases. With residential tenants, leases are somewhat less common than month to month arrangements, If you have a lease, the landlord cannot change the terms without negotiation and mutual consent. If you are on a month-to-month rental agreement, the landlord can modify the terms (or the tenant can choose to move out) on 30 days notice. You cannot, however, under any circumstances be required to sign tomorrow a letter you received today!

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Answered on 10/18/11, 8:51 pm


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