Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Virginia

Is this lease invalid?

Virginia lease agreement. Tenants are listed as my husband & I. Husband signed it, but I never did due to concerns. Made numerous attempts to meet Landlord (LL) to discuss, but she never met w/ me (too busy). Lived here 1 month (paid rent on time), but due to non-responsive LL, we want to move. Will forfeit deposit = 1 mo rent. LL initially agreed to release us as long as I found a new tenant. Found 4 good applicants, but she thwarted deals by not returning their calls,etc. Again � non-responsive.

Clause in lease says �The Lease(L) will not be considered valid by the LL, until EVERY signing tenant (T) and co-signee listed at the beginning of this L has signed and returned his/her L copy. In the event that one or more T�s listed at the top of this L fails to sign and return their copy of the L, the other T�s will not be forced, by virtue of their returned signatures, to assume responsibility for the residence. Subsequently, in the event of such a circumstance, all listed perspective T�s forfeit possession of the residence.�

Does this clause make lease invalid or can we be held liable for year�s rent because we lived here for 1 month?


Asked on 9/22/08, 11:35 am

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

Re: Is this lease invalid?

The provision which you've cited may give you an early way out of this lease without penalty, but before you vacate the premises prematurely, I would arrange(if I were you)to have an attorney appropriately experienced in Virginia landlord-tenant matters review the lease and advise you, accordingly.

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Answered on 9/22/08, 5:42 pm


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