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I moved into an apartment/townhouse complex in December. This complex is small and was funded by state and, I believe federal funds so some of the units are for people earning, I believe 30%, 50% and 100% of the median income. I am in a unit that is not subsidized and I pay market rent. I signed my lease for December 1, 2008 with the management company. At the beginning of June an individual from the management company dropped off paperwork to be completed for a "recertification". I called and questioned the individual regarding these documents, as many of them seemed only appropriate for those in the subsidized units. He told me to sign only the ones that were appropriate for my circumstances, i.e. employment verification, bank account/asset verification, etc. Once completed he informed that I needed to sign a new lease as a new management company was taking over. I specifically asked him, if my lease was still from my original signing date of 12/01/08 to 12/31/09 and he said yes. Foolishly, I signed the new lease, (no dates were on it at the time I signed this past Tuesday). Lo and behold, in today's mail I get a copy of the new lease and it shows a start date of July 1, 2009 through a 12 month period. How do I dispute this. I'm not positive I want to stay past my original lease that would have ended 12/31/08.

Editor's Response

Sorry about your situation.  Assuming you have already talked to the management company and they are not willing to change the dates of the new lease, and unless you want to pay to get an attorney involved, I would say your best option is to try a 93A demand letter and spell out your "fraud in the inducement" claim and demand the dates of the lease be changed to reflect your prior agreement.  If they do not respond to the demand, you can go to court (district or housing court).  Good luck.

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