If the landlord won’t acknowledge my married name, is it a problem if I sign the lease using my maiden name?
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If the landlord won’t acknowledge my married name, is it a problem if I sign the lease using my maiden name?
I live in a rental apartment; my lease dates back 25 years. I recently got married and took my husband’s name. The management companywill no longer cash my rent checks b/c the checks have my married not maiden name. I’ve started paying my rent by money order. Now they no longer mail me a rent bill; I have to call 2 and 3 times to get a bill. They do mark my acct as up to date. It is now time to renew my lease. Again the lease renewal is in my maiden name. I want to just sign it. Is this a problem?
Asked on August 3, 2012 under Real Estate Law, New York
Answers:
Mark Siegel / Law Office of Mark A. Siegel
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Since you state you've been the tenant of record for 25 years, you should write a letter to the landlord & management co., & send it by certified mail, return receipt requested, advising them that you are legally married as of [insert date of marriage] & have legally assumed your married name. You should enclose a copy of your marriage certificate, and in fact, just to make sure your "paper trail" cannot be challenged, you may want to provide them with a certified copy of that marriage certificate. Your letter should formally request that they change your name on the renewal lease & that they mark your tenant file accordingly. Good luck!
Mark Siegel / Law Office of Mark A. Siegel
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Since you state you've been the tenant of record for 25 years, you should write a letter to the landlord & management co., & send it by certified mail, return receipt requested, advising them that you are legally married as of [insert date of marriage] & have legally assumed your married name. You should enclose a copy of your marriage certificate, and in fact, just to make sure your "paper trail" cannot be challenged, you may want to provide them with a certified copy of that marriage certificate. Your letter should formally request that they change your name on the renewal lease & that they mark your tenant file accordingly. Good luck!
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