If a landlord hasn’t paid the house taxes, is it fraudulent for them to keep collecting rent?
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If a landlord hasn’t paid the house taxes, is it fraudulent for them to keep collecting rent?
Asked on February 19, 2016 under Real Estate Law, Michigan
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
No, it is not fraudulent at all: the tenant's contractual obligation (because that's what a lease, whether written or oral is: a contract) to pay rent is completely disconnected from the landlord's obligations to pay taxes or mortgage, the same as the tenant's employer must pay the employee his or her paycheck even if the tenant is then cheating on or not paying income tax. One person's performance of his/her obligations does not affect another person's obligations.
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