Legal Question in Real Estate Law in New Jersey
Lease Agreements?
Several aquaintances and I have rented a summer home. On the initital page of the lease agreement, it states that the agreement is between (Landlord's Name) and (My name). However, we were required to have 3 additional people sign as tenants on a back page (stating TENANT underneath each name including my own). I am the only one who initialed each page of the lease.
My question is raised because one of the other signers tried to connect the Gas and was told that she could not because the lease is in my name.
My question is this: Am I the one recognized as the leasee because the agreement states it is between the landlord and me or are the additional 3 parties who signed as tenenats also considered leasees? Should anything happen, after whom would the landlord go after? Would it be just me or would the other 3 be held responsible equally?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Lease Agreements?
It is really not possible to answer your question without seeing the particular lease. Also, there are reasons for not discussing the matter in an open forum. My contact data is below. I'd be happly to help if I can.
Re: Lease Agreements?
I agree it is difficult to answer without reading the document. You may be considered the primary tenant and others who have signed my only be secondary, so, if that is the case, you have full responsibility. I suggest you get something in writing between you and the other tenants indicating an agreement that all of you have co-equal responsibility, that all of you will agree to defend any litigation between the landlord and tenants, that all will reimburse the others if the landlord only sues one of you, and similar matters. I also suggest you get a written agreement from the landlord that all signers are co-equal responsible and any suit will be against all tenats who have signed (either named on the front page or elsewhere). This probably will not be agreed to by the landlord (don't be surprised if he doesn't agree), so there should be something in writing between all tenants.
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