How long can a 5 year contract be enforced through auto-renewal?

Question

I have had an alarm system installed for 13 years on a 5 year contract. I am moving and don't want the alarm system at my new business location because I have been generally unhappy with the service. The alarm company tells me that the auto-renewed contract isn't up for 2 more years because I didn't disconnect within a certain window. I fail to see how the auto-renewal is enforceable. I did fulfill the terms of the original contract. Can I be expected to pay even though they are providing me no service and they already have the equipment back?

Answer 1

Forever.

You signed a contract that included an auto-renewal clause. That was your choice. It renewed once before, and you kept paying, and then it renewed again and you kept paying. The time to renegotiate the contract was before it renewed, not when you want to get out of it.

The law assumes that when someone signs a written contract they know what it says, and intends to be bound by it.

Richard