How Long can I stay in My Apartment before being evicted?

Question

I am 1/2 way through my lease, and have lost my job and at this time I have no way to pay the rent, but have never even been late before. How long can I stay here with non-payment, before being evicted? I am not trying to do anything wrong, but facing living on the street when I am 56yrs. old is scary. I have no family to fall back on, and have only lived in the town for 6 mos.and have no friends I know well enough to move in with. Also, can they turn my water off to force me out? Just Afraid and need advice please.

Answer 1

Anything done to jeopardize your health and safety for the sake of money is not looked at very favorable by judges in any jurisdiction.
You need to discuss your current situation with your landlord but you also need to be informed. I don't know what state you are in or I would give you the sites in your state that you can get help at.
As I mentioned there are assistance programs for you while you get back on your feet not only from your state but from other government and private entities. Here are some links that you might want to visit.
US Government Housing assistance grants all areas:
http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/catalo...
US Government Grants page: http://www.grants.gov/
US Federal Domestic Assistance catalog for all Federal Programs available to State & Local Governments & the Public
http://12.46.245.173/cfda/cfda.html
All government Benefit Programs http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits_en.portal
Low income housing assistance (private) Habitat for Humanity: http://www.habitat.org/
Public Assistance Programs that can assist grandparents an article by AARP includes link to all types of assistance programs other than real estate: http://www.aarp.org/families/grandparents/raising_grandchild/public_benefits_programs_can_help_grandparents.html
List of all available Federal programs http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits_en.portal;jsessionid=FX2KrmkSYpQNWvJT5M5bCT8d6NfrbMGL2kWh01jgmGKD5HYmGYyj!-1747634320?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=gbcc_page_locate_federal&_nfls=false
Finding out what benefits you are eligible for with the US Government
http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits_en.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=gbcc_page_questionnaire&_nfls=false
AARP: Age 55 and over: http://www.aarp.org/
All HUD publications on programs for low income assistance:
http://www.huduser.org/publications/pubasst.html
Sorry to hear about your predicament I'm sure you'll be alright
Buena Suerte
Additional Details
Since you are in the state of Florida here are the assistance links I promised
STATE’S HOUSING AUTHORITY: http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/pha/contacts/
STATE’S WEB SITE: http://www.myflorida.com/
Florida General Provisions Property Laws includes tenant/landlords isssues http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0715/ch0715.htm
LANDLORD TENANT ACT: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm
Landlord tenant main site: http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0083/titl0083.htm&StatuteYear=2004&Title=%2D%3E2004%2D%3EChapter%2083
Landlord tenant handbook: http://www.floridapirg.org/consumer/renters/rrpage1.htm
Landlord tenant brochure: http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/hr/forms/25/5025_750.pdf
Consumer Services landlord tenant explanation: http://www.800helpfla.com/landlord_text.html
Rental Assistance Programs: http://apd.myflorida.com/procedures/docs/APD-OP-17-002-In-Home-Subsidies.pdf#search=%22Rental%20Assistance%20State%20of%20Florida%22
Affordable Housing opportunities: http://www.flhousing.org/
State’s Department of Community Affairs, Housing and also disaster relief: http://www.dca.state.fl.us/
Government & Private Agencies links on utilities and consumer information http://www.psc.state.fl.us/home/links.aspx

Answer 2

You are in a tough spot.

Have you applied for unemployment? If you haven't been at this job the required length of time, your prior job should count as well to make up the total work weeks needed.

Get another job as fast as you can and then make payment arrangements with your landlord. Be honest with them and they will almost always work with you.

You can also offer to do work on the property for a credit on the rent.

There is no set time for starting eviction proceedings. Every place has different laws. Some places require notices or demands first, others don't. In any case, you can't be evicted without a court order.

Turning off necessary utilities (like the water) is against the law everywhere.

Don't panic. Just get out there and get any job you can so that you can make a payment arrangement. When that is in place, then you can relax and start looking for a "real" job in your field.

Once, many many years ago, I lost my job. Being very young, I also had no savings. My rent was due in few days and I had no money. My landlord owned a lot of properties and had a small disorganized office and was constantly overwhelmed with work.

I went down there in an office outfit one morning and told him what had happened and asked if he would accept my help in his office starting right now for 2 or 3 days a week in exchange for the rent until I got another job.

He accepted my offer. He also said I was the only person who hadn't avoided him or given him b.s. when they weren't able to pay the rent, and that made a huge difference in how he responded to me.

You can get through this. Good luck.

Answer 3

they can not turn off your water or other utilities, expect in TeX but that is after notice, but once you are late the landlord can move for eviction then depending on the state about 30 day before you are evicted

remember if evicted that will be on your credit report and will be hard to find an apartment to rent in future

Answer 4

Most leasing offices will work with you, just let them know your situation...and then you should go and apply for unemployment, unless you were let go of your job for not doing work..then I would go and find your nearest McDonald's as a source of money...and start looking for another job.