Michael Emilio

My landlord has said that he needs to knock down the walls to the rental where I am staying at and fix the pipes because the heat is messed up. He says he’ll need about 2 months to do this and I’ll need to move out for those 2 months.It is a basement apartment and I have no lease because he told me he doesn’t do leases and consequently I didn’t sign a lease with him and just pay him cash month to month. When I moved in, I inquired about the lack of a lease and he said I could stay there as long as I want, but now it seems like he’s trying to push me out. My question is, if he requires me to move out for months, is he required to pay my rent at wherever I move to for those 2 months? - STG

Technically a lease is defined as, “A contract granting use or occupation of property during a specified period in exchange for a specified rent.” Since there is no lease (or contract) in place for this rental, you are on a very precarious position. The landlord in this case is able to force you to leave because there is no official contract in place and is under no obligation to pay you anything. If there was a contract in place however, you would be able to contact a lawyer.

I can see two possible outcomes here:

1.If you wish to continue living at your current location, either find a place to live with friends/family or an extended stay hotel until the repairs are complete. Then move back in.

2.If you really feel the landlord wants to fully evict you permanently, then I would suggest to start looking for a new place to rent immediately.

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