What are my legal rights as a tenant? Please help!!?
818559
I am a landlady, although in Oregon.  You signed a lease, which is a contract.  That contract is good for the time period specified in the lease.  Unless your boyfriend's mom AND the landlord/leasing company are both agreeable, you are stuck with the terms of the lease.  If they both agree to let you out of the terms of the lease, then they will need to put together a brand new contract in their names only, taking your name completely out of the picture.  As long as your name is on that lease, you are liable to pay - and a lease means that you are liable for money through the end of the lease.  My leases always give a dollar amount by the month, but also an amount that equals the amount for the entire term - if it's a one year lease, an amount equal to the amount that will be paid for that entire year.  In other words, you could be held liable for the balance of that amount if your boyfriend's mother moves out and doesn't pay, even if you're not living there at the time.
153527
Go to the RRA... Renters Rights Association. They will handle it! They eat that kinda crap up... I know cuz I have been an apartment manager b4 and the owners where total asses... there was so many things i couldnt do after the tentants were promised things by the owners then went back on em... good luck
1027320
There is no universal law book for renters however, you can contact the housing department of your local government and also look into this site. It is designed for landlords but has section on tenant rights as well
908075
Wow, what a strange situation.\nIn general, landlords MAY NOT engage in "self-help" (i.e. throwing your stuff out the door) when a residential tenant fails to pay rent.  Assuming that your lady actually has rights to sub-lease the property to you, her only action would be to file an eviction / unlawful detainer action, with notice to you to cure the rent deficiency. Failure to do so gives you a cause of action  against her, especially if you incurred any damage to your property, etc.\nBut this situation is complicated by the fact that (a) you're a roommate and not just a tenant, (b) she is clearly nuts, and (c) she may or may not have the ability to lease / sublease the place to you anyway.  \nSince it doesn't sound like you have a written lease, but rather a week-to-week lease, it's certainly best if you get out of there ASAP.  (I know that's kind of a bummer, since you probably are getting a good deal.) \nThese landlord / tenant disputes are one of the areas of expertise of Legal Aid -- they can usually help you if you cannot afford an attorney.  Good luck.
269378
Go to Ask Jeeves, and put in tenant landlord questions you will find your answers.  I once had a foreign Landlord, who thought he was my Own-Lord, a Lawyer took care of that for me, it is against the law to harass you in any wayand most states are [pro tenant.  Know your rights.  A retainer, and small fee to a real estate attorney can remedy this quickly.  I know it cost money, but mine only cost $250.00 in the long run and it was well worth it to see the Landlord squirm.
944518
File a claim in small claims / justice court where you live. Get all the evidence you can that they are wrong and you are right. Where I live, the Justice Court will give you a form to fill out as the Complaint, and pay a fee, and they file it. Find out how to serve your tenants and then they have so many days to answer. If they don't, you can default them and get a judgment, then go after them to collect.\n\nThe Justice Court clerk can't give you legal advice, but they CAN provide forms and tell you the procedures. Attorneys usually aren't involved in small claim matters and it will save you a lot of money and give you experience in case you need to do it again for future renters.
680706
As a tenant you have certain rights and responsibilities.\n\nPeaceful sleep and maintaining noise at a reasonable level past 9:00 PM are two of them.\n\nYour first step is to contact the landlord and explain the situation.  It is his responsibility to uphold the terms of your neighbor's lease.\n\nIf that doesn't help then you may contact the police.  Don't dial 911.  Call the local police station and explain the situation.  You need not call during one of their love sessions.\n\nIf that fails your next option is to contact the Housing Commissioner in your area.  Ultimately it is their responsibility to uphold all tenant and landlord issues.\n\nOf course you may also go directly to your neighbors.  But don't make the contact all about the complaint.  Invite them over for a cookout.  Then ask them "have you heard those people making all that racket in the middle of the night?  Who is that?  We just can't get any sleep when they are going at it!"\n\nThey will figure it out and you will save them the embarrassment.\n\nGood luck.
357922
The very "first" thing you will need in court or arbitration or where ever you go with this is ............\n"What Does The Agreement Between The Two Of You Say"?\n\nGet out the “Signed” Tenant/Landlord Agreement (you do have one don’t you?), read it and then you will probably know with a reasonable amount of certainty what a judge would say if it goes to court. \n\nMy advice is usually, take the money and run or pay attorneys and lose even more than you already have.
1118325
If you never actually signed the lease and just had a "verbal agreement" as they state there is a chance that you are legally bound, however, if this "verbal agreement" didn't dictate that you were to remain in the house and pay rent for the entire duration of the lease then its bogus.  Suggestions.....look up your states renting laws on the internet. Many states don't hold you liable if you are not actually a signer on the lease.  Also if its these girls that are holding you responsible - and not the landlord I'd say screw them, call the cops, and go get all yourt stuff. 95% of the time verbal agreements don't stand up in a court of law.  You could attest and say that the verbal agreement never stated when you could or couldn't move out and there is no proof to the contrary.  I'd say call those girls and tell them they have 8 hours to allow you to get your stuff or your called the police, legal they have NO RIGHT to deny to your property. Good Luck.
859248
First of all, you two have to get a backbone.  I know you're young but trust me, you have to learn to deal with people like this.  Now time to look at the facts.  YOU pay the LANDLORD. That's it.  YOU have RIGHTS.  This is a business transaction, nothing more, nothing less.  It is my recommendation not to get to "chummy" with landlords as most will only use this against you once something goes wrong in your apartment.  There is absolutely no need to feel intimidated.  Don't apologize for anything, if there is a problem on your behalf, then fix it.  Tell the landlord where to go if he asks about your friends, do you ask him about his visitors?  I think not.  Give the landlord post dated cheques and then you won't have to see them ever again.  If they have a problem with this, then mail them a money order once a month, they have no recourse on this. If you have a lease then your tenancy is solid, tenants have more rights than they usually know. They just can't kick you out, in fact it's very hard for a landlord to get rid of a tenant if the tenant knows their rights and how the system works.\n\nThe next time one of them gives you a hard time, tell them that the IRS or Revenue Canada (wherever your from) contacted you and wanted to know how much rent you pay them.  Watch how quickly they shut up then.\n\nPS - In response to the other answers (and with all due respect), but leaving isn't the answer.  THis is YOUR home, you pay for it and you have a right to be comfortable.  Who's to say what the next landlord will be like.  Better to put your cards on the table now.  Who knows, once you do this mabe they'll smarten up and you'll find it a nice place to live.  Don't give in to these idiots.
820735
Legally, you now have to register as a landlord - this can be done online, and there are fees! Also, any deposit is held by a third party (bureaucracy...) I would reccommend checking up on your tenants regularily (ie every three months or so) as tenants can split up/ find partners who aren't as tidy or respectable as the person to whom you have leased the property. Also, ensure that all names of parties leasing from you are on the lease so that they are all equally resposible for the state of the property when they leave. Short term assured tenancy is the only one whereby the tenant has no rights to stay in the property once the lease has expired, and this means the property needs to be furnished too! Also, ensure that the tenant is aware of his responsibilities regarding tv licence and council tax (in writing, in the lease - it is well worth getting the first lease made up through a solicitor - you can then copy it for consequent leases. Also, always get the tenant to sign an inventory, detailing all items (include curtains, lampshades on all lights, etc - you'd be surprised! and it is a good idea to get them to sign the backs of photos of the property detailing the condition it was in when they leased it...
876360
SINCE HE HAS BEEN THERE OVER 30 DAYS THE LAW SAYS THAT HE HAS LEGAL RIGHTS TO BE THERE NOW YOU CAN DO IT THE QUICK WAY & GET A RESTRAINING ORDER, BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE REASONS AS TO WHY? YOU CANT SAY THAT HE ISNT ON THE LEASE,HE DONT PAY RENT, ETC........OR YOU CAN GET AN EVICTION NOTICE TO GET HIM OUT THE QUICK WAY IS THE RESRTAINING ORDER.........GL
15719
Contact Community Legal Services in Philadelphia, and take it from there.\nTelephone (215) 981-3700\nGeneral walk in Intake: Mon.-Fri. 9am-12pm\nLandlord Tenant Intake: Mon. & Wed. only- 9am-12pm\nTelephone intake for Landlord-Tenant is available 9am-11am Mon. & Wed. only\n\nCall them FIRST THING MONDAY.\n\nhttp://www.clsphila.org/Do_You_Have_A_Legal_Problem.htm
924560
YOU ARE IN A PICKLE.\n\nCONTACT OWNER AND SEE WHAT IS UP.. THAT IS YOUR ONLY RESOURCE AT PRESENT.\nMUST OWE SOME MONEY..\n\nTHEY ARE SUPPOSE TO GIVE NOTICE UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD VERBALLY.....AND BEHIND OFTEN IN RENT...
594707
Ignore those first two comments.  Those people don't know what they're talking about.  I don't know what the laws are in your state but I have a general idea.  I am a California lawyer who practices landlord/tenant law.  While the laws in your state will be somewhat different, the general thrust of the laws will more than likely be the same.\n\nFirst of all, DO NOT change the locks.  Self-help is more than likely not allowed in your state.  I can't imagine a single state that would allow that remedy.  If you go that route, you're looking at getting your butt sued.\n\nSecond, don't bother with the county prosecutor.  The prosecutor or District Attorney only cares about criminal acts.  Yours is a civil dispute.\n\nCheck out the website for your local county court.  Many counties have self-help sections for landlords.  Or, go to the county court clerk's office and see if they offer any free legal clinics or any self-help resources for landlords.  Third, go to your local bookstore.  I guarantee that they will have a number of books on how a landlord can evict people in your area.\n\nChances are that the very first thing you need to do is post a notice on your tenant's door to pay rent or quit.  In California, it is a 3 day notice.  \n\nIf you've never done this before, it may be worthwhile to talk to a laywer in your area who specializes in landlord/tenant disputes.  Go to www.martindale.com for a listing of landlord/tenant attorneys in your area.  If you move quickly, you can get your tenant evicted in 30 days or less.  \n\nGood luck.
839345
The landlord can ask a tenant to pay for whatever they want.  It's up to YOU if you want to or not.  If you don't, I would suggest looking else where, where it's not included in the lease.
1099859
This is a tough situation and there is no really good solution.\n\nRemember that what someone can "legally" do is not really a practical limit on what they may actually do. Worse still, you can have all sorts of legal rights but if the only way to exercise them is to go to court then the solution may be worse than the problem.\n\nThe only thing is really to get the stuff out right now. If the apartment is in the other person's name then she's not going to get any immediate help from the legal system.\n\nEDIT: From another question that you posted I'm now unsure if this is a room mate situation or a landlord-tenant case. Please clarify. It affects the answer.