What can I do if my landlord won’t allow my boyfriend to move in despite the lease allowing immediate family?
If I’m pregnant and my lease says the home is for me and my immediate family, can my landlord legally refuse to let my boyfriend move in?
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I hate to say it but if your lease restricts it to only legal family members then the landlord can enforce that if he wants to be a jerk and not flexible about modifying the terms of the lease. A boyfriend is not legally "immediate family" regardless of the fact that you are having a child with them. I don't see what state you are in but in most States if a tenant just breaks a lease and moves out the landlord has a duty to rerent the property as quickly as possible and can only hold them liable for any lost rent until they do so. So if you were to break the lease and move out and it took them a month to rerent that is all they could hold you liable for.
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What can I do about a landlord that will not allow the move in of my boyfriend who I am currently pregnant by? The lease includes a clause that "the premises is for the use of tenant and tenant's immediate family"
Lexi, Chatbot
I understand how stressful this situation must be for you. Can you please confirm if your boyfriend is listed as an occupant on the lease or if there are any restrictions mentioned regarding guests?
I am the only listed occupant. There are no restrictions in the lease.
Lexi, Chatbot
Have you had any formal communication with your landlord about this issue, and if so, what was their response?
There was a small chat via text between me and the landlord's husband before I moved in.
Lexi, Chatbot
Is there anything else the landlord-tenant lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured, they'll be able to help with your landlord issue.
Yes.
The landlord's husband says the moving in of my boyfriend is prohibited because he is a male.
Barrister
Hello and welcome to the site! My name is Barrister, and I am a licensed attorney here to help with your situation. I know your question is important, but there may be a short delay in my responses since I work with several customers at once.
I’ve read your post, and I’m sorry you’re dealing with this — I understand how frustrating and confusing it can be. You asked what you can do about a landlord who won’t allow your boyfriend (who you’re pregnant by) to move in, under a lease that says the premises are for the tenant and “tenant’s immediate family.” Unfortunately, until you and your boyfriend are legally related through marriage or a legal domestic partnership, the landlord doesn’t have to recognize him as part of your “immediate family.” A boyfriend is generally considered a dating partner, not part of one’s legal family, so the landlord can enforce the lease as written and prohibit his move-in. That said, you may be able to negotiate. Try offering additional rent or a lease modification. Many landlords are motivated by financial considerations and may agree if it benefits them.
I did try that already and the landlord insists the only solution would be terminating the lease.
The landlord states that my boyfriend is not allowed to move in, simply because he is a male. though the lease has no prohibitions regarding this and actually states "the premises is for the use of tenant and immediate family"
Barrister
I hate to say it but if your lease restricts it to only legal family members then the landlord can enforce that if he wants to be a jerk and not flexible about modifying the terms of the lease. A boyfriend is not legally "immediate family" regardless of the fact that you are having a child with them. I don't see what state you are in but in most States if a tenant just breaks a lease and moves out the landlord has a duty to rerent the property as quickly as possible and can only hold them liable for any lost rent until they do so. So if you were to break the lease and move out and it took them a month to rerent that is all they could hold you liable for.
If the landlord agrees to terminate the lease is it still possible for them to hold me liable for anything?
Barrister
Nope. Not if they agree to release you. But get it in writing so you have proof.. never trust what they tell you verbally.
Barrister
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