As for what to do when a contract has contradictions, the general rule is it is interpreted in favor of the parties who did NOT write it. In other words, if the landlord had wanted to more clearly write something that limits you, but flubbed it by failing to remove the word "four", then they would have to ask your permission to modify the agreement to be more clear.
Be up front about it. Talk to the landlord and tell him your situation has changed and you need the children to be there for a longer period of time. See what happens. Solve the problem do not try to dodge it.
Unless it's senior housing, or a violation of safety codes, a landlord cannot refuse to allow your own children live in the apartment. Go to the manager and tell him that you now have shared custody of your children and ask him if he needs to add them to the lease. If the landlord says you are in violation of your lease, provide him with a copy of the Fair Housing laws. http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=... (section 1.5)
You need to gain LL permission, then you are fine.
The lease is valid. Simply clarified with the landlord on whether it's actually 4 days or 0 days.
We are having issues with the rules on our lease applying to guests and duration of stay. It states "Tenant shall not permit guests, relatives or friendshare to remain more than four *written in with in ink then ran through copier->* (0)* days in the apartment without prior written permission of the landlord."
As we were negligent and signed without going into detail (desperate times we were careless) we have to abide. However, what do we legally abide by?
Our circumstances have changed in the 5 months that we signed the lease and gained biweekly split custody of our kids.
Florida.
