Do I need to sign a new contract every year?
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Do I need to sign a new contract every year?
I am currently in a contract with a pest control company. They only have written
contracts from 2016 and 2017. I have continued to pay them every year but I
have not signed a new contract. By paying the fee every year am I still locked
into that contract or am I supposed to have to sign a new contract every year?
Asked on July 19, 2019 under Business Law, Florida
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 4 years ago | Contributor
Contracts do not automatically renew unless there is some automatic renewal clause in the contract itself (e.g. that the contract will renew each year unless, for example, 60 days prior to the expiration, one of the parties sends written notice that it is not renewing). But a renewal does not have to be in so many words or in writing; just as a contract can be formed by actions as well as words, so, too, can be renewed the same way. If you send them the annual fee and they accept it (i.e. do not return it), that would constitute a renewal of the contract, since both sides demostrated by their actions an intent to renew.
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