Do both copies of renewal lease have to be 'originals'?

[sr77]

I'd misplaced one copy of the two RS renewal leases that were sent to me, so I just signed the one I had, made a photocopy of that, then returned both.

Landlord is objecting, saying both have to be originals.

Is this a tempest in a teapot or is there some actual requirement about returning both 'originals,' a photocopy of a signed original not being valid?

Thanks.

[TenantNet]

I think the LL is correct here. You would sign both, return them to the LL (sent by cert mail RRR and make copies of everything), then the LL executes the leases and sends one back to you, so both you and the LL will have originals. Best way to deal with this now is to make another copy, sign that and send it to the LL. There are more serious things to fight about.

[sr77]

Thanks. I wasn't planning to get into a fracas, just couldn't see why they didn't just keep the original I signed and return the photocopy with their signature to me.

What difference could it possibly make?

[TenantNet]

It can make a difference, especially in court.

[sr77]

We (LL and me) would both have original signatures on our copies.

The only photocopied content would be the renewal lease itself and our own signatures (i.e., the other party's signatures would not be photocopied).

What kind of hay can be made of that, in or out of court?

[TenantNet]

You said at the top one had an original signature, and the other was a photocopy.

[sr77]

You said at the top one had an original signature, and the other was a photocopy.

Yes, they are. But my point was that the landlord would have the original renewal lease with my original (not photocopied) signature and I would receive back (as an executed copy) the photocopy with the landlord's original (not photocopied) signature. My photocopied signature on the copy I receive back would seem to be a moot point. What's to contest about it?

[BubbaJoe123]

The standard is to have two original signatures on each copy of the lease.

Really, I wouldn't make too much of a deal of this. Just ask the LL to send you another unsigned copy, sign it, and send it back.

[sr77]

Just ask the LL to send you another unsigned copy, sign it, and send it back.

Thanks, had already done that. Was just trying to understand why original v. photocopy would be an issue for renewing a lease. I'll just let it be.