Month to Month informal Eviction?

Question

Hi. I have a no-lease (landlords didn't want to pay taxes on rental) month-to-month rental in VA. Rent included all utilities as well as internet (required for my job.) I've lived here since end of last Aug.

Since I moved in, I have had running water always. I travel for work & am home only 10 days a month +/-, so when I am home I take sponge-baths, and remind landlords (live on property- in main house) that the water is not working. They have tried to fix it but have not been successfull.

Also the internet was installed 3 months after I moved in. Last month, the internet was removed w/o 30 days notice (30 days lease change notice required in VA) and I suffered through work for that b/c I didn't have internet.

Monday, landlords said they didn't want to rent anymore b/c they were "Tired of hearing me complain about the water."
Um... once every 2 months for a year?!? And water is not an unreasonable request!!

They have NOT given me 30 days written notice and instead want me out ASAP b/c they don't want to deal with renting their unit anymore.


Also they have 2 dogs on site that are not up to date on shots, dog tags, etc. Neither have rabies shots. (JUST found this out) These dogs run free and could nip/bite me anytime and infect me if they aer sick.

I know what the law says on my 30 days to leave rights, but since they want me out ASAP, and I can be out w/in the week, do I have to pay the entire 30 days?
OR just the dates I'm going to be here?

There's been threats, etc, to leave soon.
Since they are making it virtually impossible to stay for the 30 days, I'm thinking I shouldn't legally have to pay for the entire month- since THEY want me out before the end of the month.

Yes- water is completely required under VA housing code & rental/landlord act.

Legal or not, they aren't going to fix it. Heck, having unregistered dogs w/o shots is illegal, and they do that too. (and that's a $6 shot! that should tell you about these folks.)

And I'm not going to stay where I'm not wanted.

Right now, I just feel like I should not have to pay for the 30 days notice I WAS NOT GIVEN. I was told "immediately" and "as soon as possible" and when they saw me today, they said "Why are you still here" (its been 2 days!)

So obviously they expected me to leave NOW not at 30 days. So why should I have to pay for 30 days when they don't plan on me staying?

They did not file a formal eviction notice w/the city- instead I beat them to the punch. I went to the city clerk & filed a "You didn't file the notice, so I am- I'll be out by __ as my final date" (but much more formal) and cited all the violations- dogs, water, 30 day lease change, 30 day notice, etc.

That's the plan, coles. I'm packing as we speak and hope to be out by Tues.

Lesson learned- but in VA even w/ a lease, I would still have 30 days- nothing different there. Just more paperwork to back everything up. Luckily I've had enough house guests experience the lackk-of-water that I have witnesses (PLUS the previous tennant has stepped forward) if it ever got to the court level.

Answer 1

OK.... the actual question you asked is whether or not you have to pay. ABSOLUTELY NOT... they do not have a formal signed rental agreement saying you are going to pay them anything. The court would laugh in their faces if they tried to sue you for the money or evict you.

The second problem is with possession. You've basically been living in someone's house and giving them money with no formal agreement of how much or how long, therefore you don't have to pay, but they do have to legally go through the correct channels to get you out. It's easier because they're making your life hell... best advice, get out... find a new place... SIGN A RENTAL AGREEMENT THIS TIME!!!

Answer 2

The big question is have you paid for August yet or not? If you have paid, the odds of you getting any money back are really, really low. If you haven't paid, just leave. ASAP, and don't plan on paying either. A year without water is crazy, I would have moved out long ago. Good thing you were only there for 10 days a month. The deal must have been fantastic for you to put up with that cr@p.

Since you can get out faster, I would. I would leave as soon as humanly possible.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I believe legally they HAVE to have working water. I mean you may have to pay for it, depending on your agreement, but I think its considered unlivable conditions to not have water. You should contact some sort of local legal aide department or look up the laws in your state to determine what legal recourse you have on these people.
What state are you in?
I am most certain there is a proper eviction procedure they must follow to get you out. They cannot just say leave.