She says since she took out a loan to fix the house up (duplex) her mortgage will be $2000 so I have to pay $700. Mind you, I have not paid rent since I moved back in in 2000. In June she informed me that I would have to start paying $300 in Aug. Now today she informs me that I have to start paying $700 Nov. 1st. Is that legal? Can she do that? I've done some research on my own but don't know how accurate. But I've found that where I live, Los Angeles, Calif. there is rent control and a landlord can only raise the rent 4% a year. If anyone knows any websites I can go to with current and accurate information please notify me. Also what can I do? or need to do. Mind you I don't have a lease or month-to-month. Everything is verbal.
2007-09-28 07:50:48 · 13 answers · asked by Danielle J 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
So, you have not paid rent for 7 years and now you're crying because you have to pay $700/month?
While the city may have rent control, all transactions involving real property (including renting) have to be in writing. If you don't pay her, what's to stop her from kicking you out? You're an adult. Do you have any proof that you pay her anything (or, for that matter, does she)?
Do you want her to kick you out? She may serve you with a notice to vacate the premises (kick you out)
Information regarding rent control:
http://www.caltenantlaw.com/LARSO.htm
2007-09-28 12:46:42 · answer #1 · answered by Princess Leia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on your state and area. Certain states have laws regulating late fees. Some even say you cannot charge late fees for 30 days(insane), and others say, you can only charge it if you actually lost money because of them being late(what about discouraging bad behavior or wasting my time?) But, a lot of states do not regulate this at all. Point is, study your state's LL/tenant laws. If you take them to court over it, most judges will recognize that this is excessive(undue economic burden is the legal term I believe), and you may get some back. But, if you do that and you are late again within a year, you may not get a chance to pay the late fee. They may just hand you an Unconditional Quit notice. From most Landlords I talk to, 10% is the standard, acceptable amount. I used to charge 5%, but tenants would pay it, and continue to be late. I raised it to 8%, then they stopped being late. I'm not in the business to make money off of late fees, but I also hate having to call around every month, just to get the rent paid. Come on people, it's due on the same day every month. It's not like it catches you off guard.
2016-05-21 00:04:36 · answer #2 · answered by alyssa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Verbal is hard to prove. If you Aunt owns the house you have no control over what she does if you want to live in her place. You could be paying a lot more or she might want you to move out so she can rent it for more than she wants to charge you. If you are going to stay then fill out a lease with her. That why she cannot raise it more than 4% next time.
2007-09-28 08:10:12 · answer #3 · answered by L A 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think for that price in that area you are doing darn good even at $700. She could likey rent it out for much more. To give you an idea-in the college town in VA where I work in prop mngmt you are looking at about $695 for a 1 bedroom of aprox 600-700 sq feet. Plus, this is family-she let you live rent free for many years and now is asking for rent. Maybe she didn't think you would stay that long and planned to rent it at some point for added income in later life, you haven't moved so she is allowing you to stay but asking you to pay rent. I think it is likely a shock to go from no rent to paying rent, but honestly I don't think it is unfair of her.
2007-09-28 08:11:54 · answer #4 · answered by VAgirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure she can. With no lease the landlord can increase the rent at will. Given that you had over 6 years rent-free, I'd quit griping!
FYI, there is no rent control in LA. A few areas in the Bay Area are rent controlled but none in LA that I'm aware of.
2007-09-28 07:55:00 · answer #5 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Without a rental agreement she can do anything she wants...it is her home. Why don't you go out and research how much it will cost to find an apt comparable to where you are now...include moving costs, deposits, rental insurance, etc. After doing so, you may find that her deal for $700 sounds quite fair. Perhaps the words, thank you, might help.
2007-09-28 08:00:09 · answer #6 · answered by Christiane 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like your Aunt took out an adjustable rate loan that is about to go through the roof, and is trying to save her home from foreclosure, and needs the help. She helped you for all these years, time to pay the favor back.
2007-09-28 08:38:38 · answer #7 · answered by Pengy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With no lease she can do what ever she wants. if you want to stay at her house, you would have to abide by her rules. If you don't like it, find a different place to live. If you want to get her into trouble though, you can report to the city that she is renting to you and she probably isn't filing her house as a rental property. But that's bad karma.
2007-09-28 07:59:39 · answer #8 · answered by alizemuffin 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You are getting rent WAY below market value. If you don't like it, leave and she will find a tenant that will pay three times that!!!!
2007-09-28 07:55:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yep she sure can. At least she was letting you live there rent free as long as she has. With no lease she can do whatever she wants, even throw you out with no notice.
2007-09-28 07:59:29 · answer #10 · answered by Nolagirl83 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋