can anyone give me information on what to do if you believe your landlord is renting to you illegally?

Question

also what constitutes as legal/illegal rental.

if the house is not up to code (for fire and what not) and he refuses to fix it. if any work that needed to be done we did ourselves and have not been reimbursed. if he is now selling to someone who is planing on keeping it a rental property but they are making us vacate. is all this legal??????? if you dont know what you are talkin about please don't answer....(not meanin to be offensive)

Answer 1

(I think most people don't know what they're talking about-- co-conspirator? Unclean hands? None of this is right).

Rental regulations are most often city-by-city. In general, there is an implied warranty of habitability (i.e. when you rent, a human has to be able to live there). Sometimes code violations affect the duty; sometimes they do not. Landlords also have a duty to keep the place in a decent state, and in many jurisdictions if you engage in self-help repairs after turning the repair over to your landlord, you are required to be reimbursed. Some jurisdictions allow a tenant to deduct the amount paid on repairs from next month's rent... but this is a DANGEROUS remedy and you should make sure your state allows it before doing so.
Depending upon your lease (if you have one) landlords can usually transfer the property and delegate their responsibilities under the lease. The new owners can choose to break the lease (and pay damages to you for the costs of moving and the cost of a comparable new apartment, if you can find one that costs more), but unless you've broken the lease, they can't "evict" you. (Now, if you have a month-to-month agreement or no lease, either party can leave with one full pay period's notice...)

These are serious problems. You have the right to compensation and to have the place habitable. In many jurisdictions, there is housing court- -- small claims-type courts where neither party is represented by counsel and a judge makes a ruling right there on the spot.

My advice: Find a legal aid society. They're EXTREMELY knowledgeable in these issues, and even if they can't represent you for free, they can probably pass on very pertinent information about the housing codes in your city. Alternatively, call the state or county bar association and ask for a reference for an attorney that handles "tenant's rights law." You may get a free consultation, and, if the situation is bad enough, the lawyer may take your case on a contingent fee basis.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I always keep the phone number for Renters Rights close at hand. I've been both the landlord and the tenant and if you think the owner of the property is renting illegally, report him.
In Los Angeles it's called Housing Renters Rights. There's an 800 number you can try. 800-477-5977.Good luck with this.

Answer 3

the fact that hes a slumlord an sellin the place, has nothin ta do w/ if its legal. easiest way to figure this out, is thru the utility companys........
are yours paid? share w/ somebody? have your own meters? whats the address on the bill? yours....or? does it look like a rental, or a storage room? garage? any # of ways to figure this out, including how this address is listed w/ the city....1 or 2 residences. you A or B, a 1/2 in your #?.................even if it is illegal...you still have to pay rent, and cant get rent back....because it is illegal.......

Answer 4

More info required. Legal/illegal in what sense? Outrageous rent or something to do with the premises?

Landlord-tenant legislation is usually the responsibility of each state. To find the rules in your jurisdiction, Google the terms, 'landlord tenant and the name of your state.' There is usually an office to contact if the FAQs don't assist.

Answer 5

If you complain you may be loosing your apartment.

One type of illegal rental is where there is a violation of the zoning regulations such as two families living in a house that is zoned for one family.

Another type of illegal rental is when the apartment in question
lacks a valid certificate of occupancy.

Answer 6

I'm a bit confused...if the guy owns the place you are renting then, unless there is some county/city code against renting, the rental is legal.

Answer 7

Each town or city has a governing body which regulates these things. If I were you I would call a local lawyer's office and ask the secretary just what and where this governing body is. Landlords are accountable !!

Answer 8

If he is renting to you illegally, you are a co-conspirator in the commission of a crime. That means you can't seek monetary damages in any civil court proceeeding. You can't make financial gain from the commission of a crime. It's called the "clean hands" rule.