I have a legal question. Can anyone here answer it correctly?

[426HEMI]

I have a question about contracts and land.  Can anyone here answer that kind of question? 

[NoMope Greg]

Maybe some one can, but it probably requires a knowledge of Alabama law.  Can you state the problem in a broad sense - the Readers Digest version?

[426HEMI]

Ok I bought a doublewide last year.  I had a contract for that.   I had several months to move it and that has not run out as of yet according to the contract.  I have paid off the double wide in full.  The person that sold me the double wide has now wanted to charge me lot rent.  They came up with the figure of 500 a month which in my eyes is way high for lot rental.  I am also going to sell the double wide and I am not living there.  What should I do?

[heminut]

If the contract says you still have time to get it moved then you shouldn't be obligated to pay any rent. If the owner of the lot still insists on charging you I would consult an attorney.

[426HEMI]

Thanks that is what I am thinking also.  I see no way she could charge me legally for rent.

[67vertman]

Gordon,

I am not a legal expert, but I do work with contracts.  So here is my take on the issue; If they did not state in the original contract that you would be charged for storage/rental for the period of time that they gave you to move the trailer, they cannot charge you for said storage/rent during that time with out you agree to an amendment of the original contract.

Your local library should have some good information on laws about contracts.

Sorry to hear that you are going through this.

[73Chally]

You use the term "several months" to move it from the time you bought it.  Is that period clearly defined (ie. 3 months from date of purchase, etc).  If it is, and you are still within that time, then you should be fine.  If it is not clearly defined, then you could be in trouble.  As far as the $500 per month value, I imagine that the land owner can pretty much choose what ever price they want.  I hope it all works out for you, but in the meantime I would double-time it on getting it off their land, because it could get ugly.

[426HEMI]

no it gives a specific date in the contract.

I am not a legal expert either but have had business law and other courses in law and see no way without it being in the original contract they could charge me any rent.  I am going to see if I can find it at the library but I see no legal bounds they could charge me for any storage or anything.  Thanks for your input on this

[426HEMI]

What else she told me was that the contract had been changed.  Without my knowledge or signature it can not be legally binding in my eyes.

[heminut]

A legal contract can't be changed without the knowledge and consent of both parties!

[73Chally]

Sounds like you're in good shape.  Just tell them to show you the modified contract with your signature, and see what they say.  They have no grounds to charge you anything, but I would definitely get it out of there as soon as possible.  They might not have any legal grounds to do anything, but they could still make life a royal PITA for you from what it sounds like.  If it was me I would go out and get some pictures with some sort of date stamp (newspaper, etc in the picture) to document the condition right now, just in case they decide to go out and vandalize anything.

[jeryst]

What she probably did, was modify her copy of the contract, so just make sure you have your copy handy if it comes to litigation. Unless the modifications are on both copies, and initialed, they are worthless. Also, make copies of your original and keep the original in a safe place. That way, if you confront her with it, she cant grab it and tear it up. All she would do is damage a copy.

[426HEMI]

I have the original that came from her lawyer so she is up a creek without a paddle so to speak.  I kept the e-mail from her lawyer so she can not dispute what happened there.