Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Georgia

I signed a lease in 2009 at a large apartment complex. The agent told me (and I have it in writing) that my rent will not increase more than $25 per lease term. The first year, there was an incentive to sign another lease and my rent stayed the same. The second year, they tried to increase the rent by $50, but I showed the manager the email from the agent and they honored it and raised my rent by $25. A new company bought the complex and the agent is no longer employed by this new company. They did not change the name of the complex. Do they have the right to raise the rent more than $25 or are they required to honor the statement I have with regard to the increase amount?


Asked on 1/18/13, 8:19 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Scott Riddle Law Office of Scott B. Riddle, LLC

Short answer - they have the right to raise the rent unless it violates the lease. The place to look is the contract - your lease. An email is not a binding contract (at least based on your facts). If you read your lease, you will likely find that it clearly states that there are no other agreements other than the lease, and future modifications be in writing. Even then, if the lease expires or is terminated it is no longer a binding contract. You have an equal right to decline a new lease and move.

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Answered on 1/18/13, 8:25 am


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