My landlord is a crook. As my current lease, he attempted to raise the rend by $200 per month this year. I disputed the increase, so he verbally gave me an option to accept the increaed rent or stay 2 months for free and then move out. Last year he gave me the same option, but I accepted the increase. This time I decided to take the offer and been enjoying my rent-free 2 months while accumulating money for my move. Strangely he has kept sending a bill at the beginning of the month, although he never came by or called me. I assumed that because it is a management company that manages large apartment blocks, maybe they keep sending the bills for some accounting purposes. I thought it was OK, because if he wanted to collect the rent he would show up here and call me constantly. Then I've received a letter letter from a collection agency that is working to collect the rent in arrears. If I refuse to pay and dispute, how strong is the landlord's case without a signed current lease?
2007-06-29 13:39:11 · 4 answers · asked by Eddie E 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Personal Finance
Did you get his offer in writing? Did you accept it in writing? If not, it's worth the paper it was written on. The landlord will win.
2007-06-29 13:51:43 · answer #1 · answered by aj485 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it was only a verbal agreement, you are going to have a tough time. Any court will use the written lease as the terms of the agreement unless there is strong evidence (ie a signed document or witnesses who can confirm they heard the landlord make the deal with you) that the deal was changed.
2007-06-29 20:45:22 · answer #2 · answered by rlloydevans 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Strong enough. Pay up. You can not prove he verbally agreed to let you stay two months rent free....you have nothing in writing, and I promise you he will say that he never said that. On the other hand, he can prove that each month, he sent you a bill for the rent, which you ignored. And since no gets to live rent free, you will have to pay the past due rent.
2007-06-29 20:46:46 · answer #3 · answered by claudiacake 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
free rent sounds a little fishy, like you should have known or asked after the bills, maybe you misunderstood. unless you want a credit ding, call the landlord and ask. you are on a month to month if you signed no lease, but you can still be evicted.
2007-06-29 21:00:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋