readytoscream
Member
What is the name of your state? TX
We have a problem that we need help with ASAP. We have leased the same commercial property for five years now. When we orginally moved in, we had a three year lease, with an option to renew for another three years at the end of it. By the time the first three years were up, the property had been sold to another landlord. When the lease was almost due - 3 months prior to the end - we let the new owner know that we wanted to renew for another three years. We did this verbally and in writing - our bad though, we can't find a copy of the written notice for renewal. The landlord told us to run off the previous three year lease until she could get a new one drawn up. She never did this. In the past few months, she sold the building, and didn't let us know. We found out when the new owner came in to introduce himself to us and to look at the building. Prior to that, he had only been on the other half of the property. And yes, he had already purchased the property. It gets even better here, on the day the newest owner came to introduce himself, I had been to see what I believed at the time to be our landlord, and she wanted the rent. I told her I would have it to her the next day when it was due. She didn't push the matter. Later that day, the new owner came in wanting the rent, saying he had owned the building for about a week at that time. We have not seen the previous owner since, and have heard that she moved approx 50 miles away.
The new owner seemed nice enough at the time, and we have had our rent to him on time ever since he took over. Then a few days ago, he had someone come and tell us that we had 30 days to move out, nothing has been given to us in writing at this time, and our rent goes from the first to the first. Also according to our lease, we still have another year left at the same rent, etc.
When we called his secretary to find out what was going on, she had no clue, and asked if we could send a copy of the lease to her by fax. We did this and for two days kept in contact with her on the matter. Today, I called and she told me that her boss would be here today to talk to us. We're not open on Mondays, and finally did track him down at another place he owns.
When we talked to him, he said that he was told that there was no lease on the property and since the copy that we sent to him wasn't signed - it clearly states "COPY" along with the lawyer's name that drew it up all over it -then it wasn't valid. However, he has decided to "be nice" and let us keep the property for the remainder of the lease term if we agree to pay an extra $100 per month. We did not agree to this, and are trying to set up an appt with our attorney to look everything over. He also says that since he knew nothing about the lease, he is not liable for the security deposit, or the last months rent we paid, as clearly stated in the lease, along with the fact that he now claims the lease isn't valid, etc.
Can someone please help and advise us on what we can and can't do to get him to hold to the lease? Is our lease valid, or as he claims, is it no good? We are at a loss here, as to move to another location will require funds we do not have at this time.
We have a problem that we need help with ASAP. We have leased the same commercial property for five years now. When we orginally moved in, we had a three year lease, with an option to renew for another three years at the end of it. By the time the first three years were up, the property had been sold to another landlord. When the lease was almost due - 3 months prior to the end - we let the new owner know that we wanted to renew for another three years. We did this verbally and in writing - our bad though, we can't find a copy of the written notice for renewal. The landlord told us to run off the previous three year lease until she could get a new one drawn up. She never did this. In the past few months, she sold the building, and didn't let us know. We found out when the new owner came in to introduce himself to us and to look at the building. Prior to that, he had only been on the other half of the property. And yes, he had already purchased the property. It gets even better here, on the day the newest owner came to introduce himself, I had been to see what I believed at the time to be our landlord, and she wanted the rent. I told her I would have it to her the next day when it was due. She didn't push the matter. Later that day, the new owner came in wanting the rent, saying he had owned the building for about a week at that time. We have not seen the previous owner since, and have heard that she moved approx 50 miles away.
The new owner seemed nice enough at the time, and we have had our rent to him on time ever since he took over. Then a few days ago, he had someone come and tell us that we had 30 days to move out, nothing has been given to us in writing at this time, and our rent goes from the first to the first. Also according to our lease, we still have another year left at the same rent, etc.
When we called his secretary to find out what was going on, she had no clue, and asked if we could send a copy of the lease to her by fax. We did this and for two days kept in contact with her on the matter. Today, I called and she told me that her boss would be here today to talk to us. We're not open on Mondays, and finally did track him down at another place he owns.
When we talked to him, he said that he was told that there was no lease on the property and since the copy that we sent to him wasn't signed - it clearly states "COPY" along with the lawyer's name that drew it up all over it -then it wasn't valid. However, he has decided to "be nice" and let us keep the property for the remainder of the lease term if we agree to pay an extra $100 per month. We did not agree to this, and are trying to set up an appt with our attorney to look everything over. He also says that since he knew nothing about the lease, he is not liable for the security deposit, or the last months rent we paid, as clearly stated in the lease, along with the fact that he now claims the lease isn't valid, etc.
Can someone please help and advise us on what we can and can't do to get him to hold to the lease? Is our lease valid, or as he claims, is it no good? We are at a loss here, as to move to another location will require funds we do not have at this time.