They have put lots of their own money into the house (repairs/maintenance/upkeeping the yard/paying for water, putting tile in the kitchen, plumbing problems, etc). The original owner passed away last year, so now the family members that inherited the home want to sell. My question is this...do my parents have any rights since they lived in the house for so many years and invested lots of their own money into it? The house needs lots of work and my father is the one that has always made all of the repairs, with no reimbursement or reduction in rent. Just wondering what his rights are, before he has to move out.
2007-09-18 14:06:28 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
I really don't think in your state (?) you have any rights without a lease. 25yrs is a long time and I would assume you would have pressed the issue about the repairs etc other than normal wear & tear, to collect and have those amts discounted from your rents.
At this stage in the game in the 11th hour, your best bet is to ad up all the monies it took to repair the place that wasn't your duty and if it adds up to a substantial sum, present that to the benificiaries or place a machinacs lien on the property for the funds due you.
those water bills and up keep of the yard are trivial and are part of your duty as a tenant unless utherwise specified in your rental agreement. Pick your battles, you don't want to win the battle and loose the war, you want to present a factual case, have your receipts ready and exsplain whhy you paid for the labor & mat'ls for the work done to the house that was not a part of your responsibility.
Just because you paint a room or carpet a floor is not reason enough to make a clear case...and what was said to the LLs about all this when it went on...like the tileing. Was that done for you or for the LL for you, because the LL was incapable of doing so and/or did he LL rtn any thing in all those yrs, like stable rents or good natured friendship and loyalty to your folks.
These things happen when parents die and leave all their worldly possessions to strangers of you. Now you have to deal with it and there may be a nice place around the corner so they can continue out their lives trouble free.
a court case is really not the place parents need to be especially in their later yrs.
so shy away from that issue if you can and weigh the costs or maintenance against the cost of legal fees etc.
I'm not saying not to check it out, but don't wrap your parents into a web of attnys and courts for the next 3-4yrs just to get a couple of bucks or on the other hand...just trade dollars!
attnys make the money, win, loose or draw.
so consider all aspecs of the next move you make and make it a good one for all in the shortest amt of time.
maybe the siblings will allow them to live there free until its sold for the work they have place into the home to retain its value on todays mkt.
think about it!!
2007-09-18 14:38:23 · answer #1 · answered by CW L 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Owners are the only ones with any rights to the property. Renters buy access to the inside of it, but don't own any of it. Voluntary repairs made without previous agreement for reimbursement from the owner have no remuneration (repaying). Required repairs are the responsbility of the owner/landlord, and if the tenant chooses to make them with the intent of being reimbursed, that agreement needs to be made before the work is done. Ultimately, it's not their house. Sorry - it must be awkward and sad.
2007-09-18 14:13:59 · answer #2 · answered by Dulos 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Nope, no rights at all.
It was your parent's CHOICE to make repairs on a house they didn't own. Just because you put money into a rental property, and stay in it for years, doesn't equal ownership.
The new owners are under no obligation to reimburse them.
2007-09-18 23:28:08 · answer #3 · answered by Expert8675309 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with BDancer. Have they considered buying it themselves? Maybe the family members would like to have a bird in the hand, rather than put the house on the market when the market is in turmoil.
Regarding the repairs, that was his choice. However nothing is impossible in this litigious society. If they feel strongly, consult an attorney.
2007-09-18 14:25:09 · answer #4 · answered by Chuck92121 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No rights, the family members don't care because its not their problem. They want the money and no headaches. Your parents should have at least first option to buy. Although they may feel the family may want to much money. Sorry but that's what happens a lot in my area.
2007-09-18 14:19:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have your parents considered buying the house?
Other than being able to stay to the end of the lease term or if there's no lease in effect, a 30 notice to vacate, your parents have no rights. There were just tenants all those years.
2007-09-18 14:14:51 · answer #6 · answered by bdancer222 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's really sad, however I don't think that there's alot that can be done. I'd suggest that you contact the Residential Tenancy Authority, they'd be the best place to ask advice. They also have a website also. It depends on what state of country you live in, as to the site. I hope that helps somehow
2007-09-18 14:16:53 · answer #7 · answered by ginny 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't have any rights, any reimbursement should have been made by the owner at the time of the repair.
2007-09-18 14:12:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately he has the right to 60 days notice and that's about it. Not sure how it worked 25 years ago and in what state you are in but now, in some areas, landlords are required to put security deposits in interest bearing accounts. 25 years could at least bear a small chunk of change. It's at least worth investigating.
2007-09-18 14:14:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nope. They made that choice. no one made them put that money in. My guess is they got a heck of a good deal on rent for 25 years.
2007-09-18 14:14:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋