Question

Matt agrees to lease his guest-house to his best friend, Ben. The lease agreement is never put in writing, but they verbally agree that Matt will lease the guest-house to Ben for one year; and Ben will pay three months’ rent, $6,000, up front. Ben pays Matt the $6,000, moves in, and begins to repaint and redecorate the guest-house. Matt then learns his friend, Jimmy, is willing to pay double the amount of rent as Ben and wants Ben to move out.

True or False: Ben can enforce his lease agreement with Matt.

True

False

Answer 1

Oral rental lease agreements of less than a year or a year is enforceable.

A verbal agreement is as good as the paper it is written on. Landlord have no obligation to rent to the person and can change his mind. The person paying the rent can at the same time tell the landlord where he is living and he is not moving afterall.

Ben pays Matt the $6,000. The lease agreement between Matt and Ben is of one year and is enforceable. Matt cannot change his mind and end Ben's tenacy for invalid reasons.

The statement, "Ben can enforce his lease agreement with Matt" is true.

Answer is True.