Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Maryland

I am behind on rent to my landlord. He agreed in email last month for me to repay him an additional $250 per month until the rent was caught up. He gave me the amount I owed and agreed to repayments. I received an contract in an email today, stating I would have to owe him interest, late fees. This was never discussed last month. Do I have to sign this contract or is the verbal email contract valid? If I went to eviction court would this email contract by valid?


Asked on 10/25/12, 10:05 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Sher Wagshal and Sher

A contract or a contract addendum isn't legally binding until the offer is accepted. If you had emailed him back after receiving the original addendum indicating your acceptance, and it was clear from the terms of the offer that he was not charging you anything more than the base rent, you would have a valid argument. Otherwise he is free to change the offer, but you aren't obliged to accept it. If you don't everything reverts back to a delinquent rent situation and he can go after you in an eviction action. You might want to email him and point out the change and see if he'll agree to either the original offer or a compromise.

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Answered on 10/25/12, 10:43 am


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