Landlord wants us to sign new lease and won't say why

[TLD]

I live in a managed building in Washington DC. The management company seems kind of lame, but now I'm wondering...
I live with two roommates. We're all listed on the lease (which is month-to-month.) I just moved in a few months ago and signed lease change form to get my name on the lease.
A few days ago the person who handles lease signing (he is not our building manager, he is in another building) called and said we all had to come over and sign a new lease. He won't say why, won't say if anything is changing, won't fax us a copy of the lease so we can see what's going on, won't let us take a copy home. I don't think it's a rent increase because they always notify us of that in writing. He says he won't accept our next month's rent unless we come and sign this new lease yet cannot explain why.
What our our rights in terms of seeing the lease and him giving us a reasonable explanation? Does he have to fax us a copy of what he wants us to sign? Is there something fishy going on here? What possible reason would he have for wanting us to sign a new lease and not tell us why?
Please help!

 

[Tracey]

I agree; something doesn't smell right. Call the management company and explain what their agent is doing. Ask them if they have intructed him to behave this way or if he's setting these policies all on his own.

You have an absolute right to read any contract before signing it, to seek legal advice before doing so, and to have your own copy of any contract you have signed. If the lease guy attempts to prevent you from doing any of these things, he has probably rendered the contract unenforceable due to unconscionability.

Go to the office and get copies of the lease and read every word. If you have any questions, don't sign until you have answers and make sure those answers are added to the lease. Compare the new lease to your old lease. I'd suggest you videotape this entire event to avoid any we said/they said problems down the line.

It's probably too late for him to give you notice that he's terminating the lease effective May 31. Tender the rent for June on time, and send it by certified mail, return receipt required. If he chooses not to cash the check, that's his problem. He merely gives you a gift of the month's rent by doing so.


Good luck,
Tracey

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This is not legal advice and you are not my client. Double check everything with your own attorney and your state's laws.

[This message has been edited by Tracey (edited May 18, 2000).]