Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in District of Columbia

Signed Lease under Duress

Correction and update to post yesterday: I have had various problems through the application and leasing process. First, when I went to sign lease the rent was $400 more/MONTH than the application and hold agreement stated. (still differs from price listed on website). I arrived to sign the lease on the day of my move, I had hired movers, given notice, and had no other options so I felt forced to sign. I am intend to pursue some action against the company to argue for the rent amount that was on my hold agreement. In addition to this, I had various problems with the rental company BEFORE I arrived to sign the lease. I had a verbal contract that the move-in date was to be Sat May 31 and this was confirmed by telephone on MonMay 26th. On Thur May 29th the leasing agent called to say the unit would not be ready until a week later and there was nothing she could do to assist. I was super-upset, especially because my hold agreement stated a move in of June 1. In this situation I called the coporate company for the property and they called the manager and allowed us to move-in on the 31st but not all the repairs have been completed. Now the leasing agents are treating me dissidently -any advice to proceed?


Asked on 6/03/08, 11:48 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Signed Lease under Duress

"The leasing agents are treating me dissidently"?

What counts here (in my opinion)is the lease which you signed and not any particular preceding hold agreement.

The kinds of irritations which you've mentioned quite ofen lead folks in similar situations to mistakenly believe that all of these minor irritations must certainly add up to a winnable lawsuit of some sort against the alleged perpetrator(s).

I don't see that happening here with the scenario which you've described(again, my opinion, of course).

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Answered on 6/04/08, 9:12 am


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