ANSWERS: 3
  • Making penciled-in changes to a lease does not legally alter the lease, therefore you cannot break the lease for that reason. You need an attorney who specializes in rental real estate if you feel the property in unlivable.
  • the pencilled in portions would have to be initialed by you and notarized in order for that to be legally binding. Make sure to have a copy of the original lease agreement for yourself that did not have the pencilled in parts that you did sign There are laws depending on state/local jurisdiction that require the "landlord" to maintain the property. You could potentially vacate the property without penalty should you chose to do so. Unlivable conditions would mean that something is wrong with your water supply, leakage causing hazardous mold, etc. Generally something that is a potential health hazard. You could not claim this if for example the walls need a new layer of paint
  • Presenting a lease for a property implies that it is inhabitable. Pencil is not legal marking; only black or blue ink is legal. Do you have a copy of the original lease that has not been changed? What condition(s) are you thinking make the premises uninhabitable? If you've already given a deposit and/or first month's rent and/or utility deposit the property owner, you may end up having to take them to small claims court. Be prepared for that.

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