I couldn't fit everything into that space so here is the deal:
My name is Sarah Besmer and I have recently moved into a room in an apartment in Chelsea, MA. When I moved in all I had to pay was the first months rent which is 350 + 50 for utilities and did not have to sign a lease, it is a month by month thing until July 1st. About 2 or 3 weeks after moving in the guy who is renting the room to me (who rents the whole 4 bedroom apartment from a couple who lives in the building) just told me that he is going to have to collect the last months rent in the next two weeks because there is some law stating that if I am going to be living here for more than 6 months that is required by law. I am trying to figure out if this is just a bogus law he is telling me about or if that is really a requirement. When I moved in the terms were very clear about my stay on both ends; I would pay 400 when I moved in and did not have to sign a lease, those were the terms. Now this last months rent up front has caught me off guard and at a very inconvenient time. Please if you could let me know if there is such a law pertaining to this situation let me know and maybe if you could explain the logistics of it that would help me out a lot as well. I don't want to be taken advantage of if it can be prevented. Thank you for your time
2007-12-12 14:26:15 · 4 answers · asked by Aisha B 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
I do not think there is any such law. But I do know that he cannot just make you move out. If you have recieved any mail to that home, (official mail) from like a company, that proves that you are now a resident of that home. In order to get you out, he would have to evict you. I also believe that Mass is a state where verbal contracts can be upheld in court. I hope this helps you.
2007-12-12 14:32:27 · answer #1 · answered by DefiantRican 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check the laws in your state. There is no such law in PA although some landlord do ask for the first and last months rent at the time you move in. The trouble with month to month is landlord can change the rules or raise the rent any time he wants to. With a lease you are protected by it's terms until the lease ends.
2007-12-12 22:47:11 · answer #2 · answered by Classy Granny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard that it's a law but there are strange ones everywhere. Month to month rent usually means you have to give 30 days notice and then you can move. That would cover your last month's rent. I would tell that you wished you could help him out but that wasnt' the agreement. He may give you 30 days notice to get out. I say you have an oral agreement and that is binding. Can't change the rules after you move in unless he would like to be liable for your moving out costs. . .Check locally to be sure of the law.
2007-12-12 22:54:25 · answer #3 · answered by towanda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact your local housing authority and inquire about landlord/tenant affairs.
2007-12-12 22:40:12 · answer #4 · answered by Sharon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋