It isn’t uncommon for Maryland landlords to make changes to their lease agreements. However, those changes generally cannot go into effect until after an existing lease expires. You may want to take a closer look at what your options are in the event that your landlord tries to modify a rental agreement before it expires.
You can agree to the proposed changes
If you don’t have any problem with the proposed changes to your rental agreement, you can sign an addendum at your earliest convenience. Once the document is returned to your landlord, you are now obligated to adhere to any new terms included in the modified lease.
You can choose to reject the proposed changes
You are under no obligation to sign an addendum to your current lease. If you disagree with the changes, the landlord must abide by the terms of the existing agreement until it expires. Furthermore, he or she is not allowed to retaliate against you simply because you declined to modify your rental agreement. If you believe that the property owner has retaliated against you, it may be a good idea to speak with an attorney who is familiar with state tenant rights.
Changes can be made during a renewal period
Say that your lease is set to expire within a few weeks. At that time, the property owner will likely approach you about signing a new agreement to stay in your current apartment. If you choose to renew your lease, any changes to the rental agreement will likely go into effect the day that you sign the paperwork to do so.
If you are engaged in a dispute with your landlord, an attorney may be able to help resolve it in a timely manner. It might be possible to do so through private talks as opposed to a formal trial. However, if necessary, legal counsel may represent your interests in court.