LL breaks verbal agreement prior to signing lease

[joe2001]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? VA

Hello - I was planning to rent a house to several renters. I showed them the house and we agreed verbally that (1) we would sign the written lease later in the month and (2) that they could move in early December. We have not collected a security deposit. They are good guys and we wanted to rent them the place, but I learned that we have to take the house off the rental market.

While we had not signed the lease nor had we collected a deposit from them, we did tell them verbally they could rent the location. We have since informed them that the property is off the rental market. Are we liable for anything?

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? VA

Hello - I was planning to rent a house to several renters. I showed them the house and we agreed verbally that (1) we would sign the written lease later in the month and (2) that they could move in early December. We have not collected a security deposit. They are good guys and we wanted to rent them the place, but I learned that we have to take the house off the rental market.

While we had not signed the lease nor had we collected a deposit from them, we did tell them verbally they could rent the location. We have since informed them that the property is off the rental market. Are we liable for anything?

**A: how long was the written lease to be good for?

 

[joe2001]

1 to 2 years, we had not come to a conclusion on that.

 

[Zigner]

The REASON you aren't renting to them after all *may* come in to play. But, if your decision is not based on some illegal reason, then you should be fine.

 

[HomeGuru]

1 to 2 years, we had not come to a conclusion on that.

**A: then you are not liable for anything since the VA statutes of frauds dictate that a lease of real estate over a year must be in writing to be enforceable.

 

[Zigner]

**A: then you are not liable for anything since the VA statutes of frauds dictate that a lease of real estate over a year must be in writing to be enforceable.

Well, actually, it's even more simple than that. There was no contract formed in the first place, since it was still being negotiated

 

[HomeGuru]

Well, actually, it's even more simple than that. There was no contract formed in the first place, since it was still being negotiated

**A: that's my point in an attorney complicated speak.