Any Lawyers out there, have problems with my landlord?

Question

My parents live in a apartment for the past 14 years in New Jersey, They are both disabled, they live in a 6 apartment building zoned as a condo and the landlord has sold three condos already and my parents live in one of the three remaining. He just raised the rent a $ 100. The lease hasn't been renewed in 6 years and they are now in a month to month lease. The realtor keeps coming with clients to see the apartment and my parents refuse to show the place because they don't want people to intrude their privacy. Is there anyone here that can help Please. The matter might come down to court. Any lawyers or people with the simar situation please.

Answer 1

Your landlord isn't doing anything wrong. I would advise them to avoid court at all costs. These people will (rightfully) counter sue for a loss because of your parents illegally denying the property owner access to sell their property. The landlord will win this one. I know this is not good news for you, but it is the truth. Your parents are in the wrong in this situation and are setting themselves up to be sued for a large amount of money.

You need to spend your time helping them find another place to live if they do not wish to buy the condo.

Answer 2

I've lived in apartments for many years, in FL, CA, OH, PA. Each state is different. The leases I've had 6 month or 12 month leases, and I've never seen a lease longer than a year. I did rent the back of a house once and when I came in they told me they were thinking of selling it and let me know that realtors would be walking thru while I lived there. By law here we MUST let the owner in to show the house or their representative, which in this case was the realtor, and, we were warned ahead of time. Then when one family were about to buy (it takes about 6 weeks to buy a home here and put thru all the paperwork) we were told that the new family didn't want to rent the apartments in back of the home so we would have to start looking for another place to live.

When you go on a month-to- month lease that means you (your parents) should be looking elsewhere for a place to live (at least looking, doesn't mean it's confirmed they will be moving yet). There is no guarantee that the new owners will want that condo rented. I would suggest that you bring your parents some boxes and box up things like for storage, so if it happens they need to move then they can. They/you should keep in touch with the owners, and, by all means let the realtor in to see the place. The realtor should be calling ahead of their visit but sometimes they are in the front of the building with clients when they call though. This is definitely not a court issue. It will take planning on your part though.

Answer 3

Assumably, the landlord has gone through the proper channels to convert this structure into condominium status.

That being the case, New Jersey law does not appear to contain any restriction on the landlord from showing your parents' unit to prospective buyers. If your parents continue to refuse showings, they may find themselves at the end of an eviction action.

I don't think you OR your parents want it to come down to court in THAT manner.

Answer 4

Acermil is absolutely correct. Your parents cannot refuse to show the place. They are hindering the landlord from selling and can be evicted for it. That goes on their credit records.
As long as the realtor or landlord gives you 24 hr notice that they are showing the apt, they are doing nothing wrong. So make sure your parents let the realtor and the prospective buyers in.

Answer 5

they are within there rights not to show the condo, however it is a balance of who has more power and influence, clearly this is a case that can not be won no matter what. the outcome is inevitable, let them find a new place and move on