What happens if a tenant continues to pay rent after a lease agreement expires?
When a lease ends, a tenant may choose to move, continue to pay rent as a month-to-month tenant, or sign a new lease. If a tenant continues to pay rent after a lease ends, in most states the terms of the expired lease carry over into a month-to-month tenancy. The landlord may only alter the terms of the tenancy after giving proper notice to the tenant; most states require at least 30 days notice to change the terms of a month-to-month rental agreement. In a few states, if a tenant continues to pay rent after a lease expires and the landlord accepts the rent, the lease is automatically renewed. The new lease is for the same length as the old lease and contains the same provisions. A landlord and a tenant may also agree to extend the tenancy by signing a new lease agreement. The landlord can change the terms of the lease and increase the rent. If the tenant agrees to the new terms, the new lease governs the tenancy.
