A rental dispute escalated into a verbal altercation when police arrived, nearly turning into a public dispute. A civil lawyer from Fidelity Law Firm explained rental contract disputes and points to note when reviewing a lease agreement.

Case Background and Legal Disputes

Rental dispute: Police arrive and verbal altercation nearly turns into a public dispute | Mirror News reporters Yan Kai-xu and Zhang Quan

A rental dispute broke out in a sub-rented apartment in Shilin, Taipei City, on the night of the 4th. The landlord cut off water and electricity to a Chinese female tenant, which made her so angry that she called the police. Unexpectedly, when the police arrived, she and the tenant got into a heated argument. According to our understanding, the rental contract between the two parties was only fulfilled for more than three months after it was signed one year ago. The landlord wanted to evict the tenant due to some old and new grudges, and even the door locks had been changed.

Legal explanation of rental disputes and coercion crimes

A civil lawyer from Fidelity Law Firm stated that if a landlord arbitrarily cuts off water and electricity during the lease term, they may be in breach of the lease agreement and liable to compensate the tenant. If the landlord changes the locks without reason, preventing the tenant from entering, it may constitute a criminal offense of coercion, punishable by up to three years imprisonment, detention, or a fine of up to NT$9,000.

Opinion of Fidelity Law Firm

Things to note in a lease contract

Before signing a lease, it is crucial to review the contents of the lease carefully. A lease contract is not just a simple legal document for renting or leasing a house. It also stipulates the rights and obligations of both parties to the lease and ensures fairness and legality in the leasing process. Here are a few key things to note when reviewing a lease:

Start by confirming the length of the rental period and the start and end dates. This includes whether the lease has an automatic renewal clause and, if so, what are the terms of renewal. A clear agreement on the lease period can avoid future disputes over the lease period.

2. Rent and other expenses

What should be confirmed first when encountering similar cases?

• First, organize the event timeline, notices, contracts, chat logs, photos, videos, and payment information.
• Confirm the current stage of the process: it may be just a consultation, you may have been interviewed, you may have received a summons, you may have entered into court proceedings, or you may need to file a lawsuit to seek compensation.
• Assess whether there are immediate risks such as statute of limitations, evidence preservation, detention, imprisonment, settlement negotiations, or media exposure.