We live in a 4 family home in New Jersey. We have been here for 6 years. My husbands best friend bought this house a year ago and became our new landlord. He lives a few blocks away. My husband did all the maintenance on the house for him and we took out everyones garbage and swept & kept everything nice. We maintained the yard and powerwashed the house and cleaned the basement. Now we get a notice to be out in 60 days. It seems they are renting it out for about $500.00 a month more than we pay. We just completed a beautiful nursery for the baby. We put in drop ceilings and kitchen counter and new floors. All this at our expense. My Husband assumed we would be here a long time. We pay $950.00. We have babies and a big dog and it is hard to find a place in this city that will even take pets. We have a washer and dryer and would like an apartment that will allow it. Do we have rights and what if I don't find a place in 60 days. Our rent is always paid on time.
2006-11-07 05:20:48 · 10 answers · asked by Kelly 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
We have no lease.
2006-11-07 05:29:53 · update #1
"With no lease, you have no rights. 60 days is actually quite a bit more notice than legally required." Not in NJ, lol. And in many instances, not having a lease gives you more rights than if you have one. Like subletting for instance. No lease saying you can't ... then you are free to do as you please.
Long story short, since your building is 3 or more family and NOT owner occupied, you are covered under the Anti-Eviction Act in NJ. He may still be able to eventually get you out depending on certain things, BUT the chances of you being able to swing this to your advantage tend to be pretty good and I can tell you exactly how if you answer my questions. Being able to get more $$$ for the place is not a cause for eviction for a tenant who falls under the protection of the Act.
What exactly do you mean by "eviction notice"? In NJ you either get a Notice to Cease, a Notice to Quit, or a Summons & Complaint. There is no such thing as a get out because I said so letter, lol. Exactly what did you get? If it was a Notice, tell me exactly what it said. Also, I need to know exactly how it was served. Regular mail, certified, handed to you, etc? Did you get a certified letter notice also? What dates are in the letter or notice (letter/notice date, tenancy termination date, etc)? What is listed as the official cause for eviction?
This is also very important - Is your building a legal 4 family? What does the building registration say? It should be posted in the building.
Is your husband officially the super? Was this part of your rent deal?
Did you sign or affirm to anything regarding your deposit during the last closing on the property? Did the new owner send you anything regarding your deposit transfer?
What County NJ are you in? Answer using the additional details feature and I'll edit my response to tell you what your options are.
2006-11-07 06:39:33 · answer #1 · answered by BoomChikkaBoom 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
ILoveKeyL is right. The nj anti-eviction act protects you from eviction for anything other than good cause lease or no lease. Only people who live in a 3 family or less that is owner occupied aren't protected under the law.
I always get a laugh when I see people say no lease and you're screwed. In jersey, it's more like no lease and the landlords screwed not the tenant lolol.
Your husband's friend must have bought the place without consulting with a real good landlord & tenant attorney because he doesn't know what he is doing. If he doesn't get a real sharp lawyer who knows landlord & tenant law like he wrote it himself he won't ever get you out because he won't be able to figure out how on his own. It's very hard, very expensive and it takes a very long time if it works at all. One screw-up and he will have to start all over again.
2006-11-07 10:41:06 · answer #2 · answered by YumYumTree 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Even without a formal lease agmt, most tenancy arrangements (esp. those that have been ongoing for a long time like your case) are still protected by the law. So, I would find a tenancy advocay group in your local area and solict some free legal advice.
In any event, you best course of action might be to try and negotiate a new tenancy arrangement with the landlord i.e. agree to pay the higher rent and formalise the relationship in the form of a lease.
2006-11-07 06:37:46 · answer #3 · answered by boston857 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The only thing that matters: What cause are they evicting for? You have rights...you show up in court at the hearing and defend yourself in the case.
Do you have a lease? If no written lease, then you need to move. If you have a lease, what are the terms for ending the lease? A landlord can't just move you out without notice.
All that stuff you mention means nothing as to your right to stay, as far as work at the place. As a renter, you should assume nothing, because you have no ownership rights.
2006-11-07 05:25:36 · answer #4 · answered by kingstubborn 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You seem to be asking for everything you might want to know in relation to real property transactions. Go read an entire law library. If you are asking if the original notice to get rid of the cats somehow makes you immune from eviction for your breach of the lease, it does not.
2016-05-22 07:48:12 · answer #5 · answered by Jeanette 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your lease was not extended via transfer of ownership. Then you might have a hard time staying there. I would just get rid of any extra expenses and try to match the extra $500.00 that the new owner wants. Otherwise you will have to move in 60 days regardless of improvements done to the house by you. Also you might just want to apply for a home loan. a $1500 dollar rent just might pay for the mortgage itself.
2006-11-07 05:40:13 · answer #6 · answered by Speedy 8 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
With no lease, you have no rights. 60 days is actually quite a bit more notice than legally required.
It sucks, but your husband's friend wants to screw you over. I'd NEVER do a lot of work on a rental, even with a lease, unless it was being deducted from my rent. You're paying to improve someone else's property.
Ask if you can have the last month free or something becuase of the misunderstanding, but dont hold your breath.
2006-11-07 06:01:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
It all depends on what is in the lease agreement. I am a landlord and I have done the "verbal agreement" before with friends. In my state, and most, the law says that the landlord is only required to give a 30 day notice on a "verbal agreement." It doesnt sound too good for you and your husband unless you have a written lease in your favor.
2006-11-07 05:25:38 · answer #8 · answered by Robbyz3 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
without a lease, you have no rights. NEVER ever live somewhere without signing a lease, whether you are renting from family or friends, it just never a good idea. The landlord probably saw all the work you did and thought hey i can make a lot of money off of this, out you go and all he sees is money signs. Sorry fpr you and your family, but i dont have a better answer for you.
2006-11-07 09:44:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Sorry to tell you this... but no you have no rights at all... start looking now!!!
2006-11-07 09:45:20 · answer #10 · answered by Shaunna H 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋