Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Massachusetts

Tenants added to an existing lease

Hello. I arrived in Boston in December and found two roommates in an apartment on an existing lease. The other roommate had moved out unexpectedly. I added my name to the existing lease, which lasted one year and ran from Sept.1 (2004) and ended on Aug.31 (2005). I signed it on Dec. 26 and give first, last, and sec. deposit. At the end of June I gave the landlord sixty days notice that I would not be renewing the lease and moving out at the end of Aug. She then told me that because I joined the lease in December, that I was then responsible for rent until the next December, despite the fact the lease I signed ends on Aug. 31. Can that possibly be correct? I understood that regardless of when I was added to the lease, it would end at the time specified, not one year from the date each person signed it. Any help would be appreciated.


Asked on 7/05/05, 4:42 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Re: Tenants added to an existing lease

Without reading the lease it is difficult to comment, but assuming you signed a lease that ended in August and you gave the required notice the Landlord has no right to hold you obligated beyond the terms of the lease.

I would however, caveat that I have not read the lease and do not know if there was something in the lease you signed that would somehow give the impression the lease was for 1 year.

You might want to have an attorney review the lease for you.

Read more
Answered on 7/06/05, 11:33 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Landlord & Tenants questions and answers in Massachusetts