I signed a renewed lease in August, right after the property switched everyone’s locks and thermostats to a “smart home” device that allows you to unlock door from phone, etc. Nowhere in my lease did it mention a $45 monthly fee for these services and now my apartment is trying to say that my lease is void and that I need to sign a new lease that mentions the $45 monthly fee so that they may charge it. It’s worth mentioning that I realize now that I never received a signed copy from them.

My questions are: 1) If they never signed the lease and that’s why I never got a copy, what’s the legality of my living here and paying rent while not under an active lease? 2) Do they have a legal leg to stand on if they did sign the lease and want me to sign a new one so that they may charge me $45/month to lock my door and use my thermostat? 3) Is this issue even worth fighting or should I roll over and take it?

I appreciate any advice or guidance!