Users' questions

How long have you been renting a house without a lease?

How long have you been renting a house without a lease?

Page Contents

Ask Sam: I’ve been renting for 19 years with no lease, and the landlord wants to evict me. What are my rights? Dear Sam: I’ve lived for 19 years in my private house without a lease—13 years with my first landlord, and six years with the new one.

Do you have to sign a lease if there is no rent?

Minimum notice periods still apply for rental termination even with no lease. You don’t need a written lease to rent a property and retain common renter’s rights. You have an implied lease based on your oral agreement with your landlord. The length of the lease is usually at least as long as the period between your rent payments.

Is it possible to live in an apartment for free?

It’s actually possible, and in some cases, pretty easy to live rent free in many cities in the United States (and in some places abroad). 5 Ways to Live Rent Free (or actually make money renting!) 1. Rent an Apartment, Then Sublet it for More Money (aka “The Rent Side Hustle”)

What are the rights of a tenant without a contract?

Both parties are still protected by statutory/common law. A tenant without a written contract is still entitled to all the statutory rights a regular tenant with a contract is, including water, heating, a safe environment etc. In a similar vein, the tenant is still obligated to pay rent on time and take reasonable care of the property.

Ask Sam: I’ve been renting for 19 years with no lease, and the landlord wants to evict me. What are my rights? Dear Sam: I’ve lived for 19 years in my private house without a lease—13 years with my first landlord, and six years with the new one.

How long can you live in a house rent free?

It can be for several weeks or a couple years. Their house is going to be vacant, however they don’t want to sell or rent it. Living in their house ensures the grounds are maintained and you get a free place to sleep too. It’s not uncommon to live in a house rent-free when the owner’s mortgage is paid for.

Is it possible to live without paying rent?

If there’s one monthly payment you can live without, it’s probably your housing payment. Even when a mortgage payment is cheaper than paying rent, there’s a good chance you’re still spending at least $1,000 a month on housing. That doesn’t mean you can’t live somewhere with free rent without risking your personal safety.

When does a lease end without a renewal?

Generally, where the lease requires a renewal (a new contract) at end of the term, and the term ends without such a renewal, the tenancy has terminated. However, if the landlord has accepted rental and permitted the tenant to remain, a tenancy­at­will has been created.

Can a landlord just say’this is the rent’?

However, keep in mind that rent is an agreement, not a decree. “People have this notion that the landlord can just say ‘this is the rent,’ but rent is a contract, it can’t just be imposed,” says Himmelstein. “The landlord can say ‘I’m charging you x amount’ and you can agree, in which case it’s a binding agreement even if it’s not in writing.

Are there any legal rights for a renter?

Unfortunately, renters in your position “don’t have very many rights,” says Sam Himmelstein, a lawyer who represents residential and commercial tenants and tenant associations. “Your home is not subject to any form of regulation,” he adds.

When do new regulations for landlords come into effect?

From 1 April 2021 the Regulations apply in all cases where a private tenant has a right to occupy a property as their only or main residence and pays rent. This includes assured shorthold tenancies and licences to occupy.

How long does a landlord have to give a tenant before raising their rent?

Raising Rent : Most states will require a landlord to give a tenant at least 30 days’ notice before the landlord is allowed to increase the tenant’s rent. 3  Demanding more money without the proper notice could be a form of harassment.

How long can a landlord withhold rent in Connecticut?

Standard Limit/Maximum Amount – 2 months’ rent (1 month’s rent if the tenant is 62 years or older). Time Limit for Returns – 30 Days. Penalty if Not Returned on Time – If a Connecticut landlord wrongfully withholds rent then they may be liable to pay up to double the original value of the deposit as a penalty.

However, keep in mind that rent is an agreement, not a decree. “People have this notion that the landlord can just say ‘this is the rent,’ but rent is a contract, it can’t just be imposed,” says Himmelstein. “The landlord can say ‘I’m charging you x amount’ and you can agree, in which case it’s a binding agreement even if it’s not in writing.

What happens when you rent a house for a long time?

If you’ve been renting the same property for a long time, chances are that you call this place home and really mean it. You have collected hundreds of happy moments associated with your house, you know all its ins and outs, and maybe you even dream about it while being far away. This is your home. Well, at least until your lease expires.

When does a landlord have the right to enter your home?

But a landlord has, in effect, the same right to enter your home for the purpose of showing it to perspective buyers as he does to inspect or to make repairs. The law requires the landlord to give you “reasonable” notice of his intent to enter. The law presumes that 24 hours is “reasonable” notice.

Can a landlord give you 60 day notice to move out?

For example, lucky Seattle folks who rent have a 60-day notice; tenants can check their state here. If you signed a fixed-term lease for longer—like a year or two—you likely have the legal right to stay put in the place you’re renting until your lease ends.

When is a landlord allowed to enter my apartment?

In some states, you must receive the tenant’s approval to provide notices electronically, whether that’s through email or text message, so be sure you verify. In many jurisdictions, landlords are only able to enter a renter’s unit during regular business hours on weekdays—typically between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday.

Can a landlord raise your rent after 30 days?

If you have a fixed-term tenancy for more than 30 days, the landlord cannot increase your rent unless the rental agreement says he can. If you occupy month-to-month or week-to-week – which occurs when there’s no written rental agreement – the landlord can raise your rent as long as he gives you advance written notice.

When does a landlord have to end a periodic tenancy?

Your landlord can end a periodic tenancy at any time and for any reason by giving you 60 days advance written notice if you have rented the room for a year or longer. For occupancy periods less than one year, the notice period is 30 days.

How long do you have to live in New York to be rent stabilized?

Since it sounds like you live in a two-family home, according to New York law, you’d have to have been living there since 1953 for your apartment to be rent controlled or rent-stabilized. “If you were in a larger apartment building and were there for 19 years, in most instances, you’d be stabilized,” Himmelstein explains.

How can I get approved to rent with no rental history?

A letter explaining why you have no rental history and describing your plans for the next one to five years. A list of personal references that can vouch that you’re responsible and won’t become a headache for your landlord or the other tenants. Shur says personal details can swing a landlord your way.

When does a landlord have to evict you?

Your state laws determine the terms under which your landlord can evict you. Your landlord usually has to give a notice of at least 30 days before the day you are expected to leave. Your landlord may not have to give you any reason for evicting you.

Since it sounds like you live in a two-family home, according to New York law, you’d have to have been living there since 1953 for your apartment to be rent controlled or rent-stabilized. “If you were in a larger apartment building and were there for 19 years, in most instances, you’d be stabilized,” Himmelstein explains.

Do you have the right to ask your landlord to leave your apartment?

You legally have the right to ask the landlord, repairman or anyone else to leave your apartment at any time (Castle Doctrine). 2. The landlord must give adequate notice (at least 48 hours) before entering a tenant’s property, and may only do so without notice if there’s an emergency.

When is your landlord or your tenant is also your roommate?

The awkward dynamic between renter and landlord has long made for pop culture fodder from Ralph Furley’s cringeworthy gay jokes at the expense of his tenant Jack on Three’s Company, to the dastardly Benny from Rent who bought out the squat he’d previously been living in and then tried to shake down his former roommates for a year’s worth of rent.

You legally have the right to ask the landlord, repairman or anyone else to leave your apartment at any time (Castle Doctrine). 2. The landlord must give adequate notice (at least 48 hours) before entering a tenant’s property, and may only do so without notice if there’s an emergency.

How long does a landlord have to give a tenant to increase their rent?

If notice to terminate is due to tenant’s failure to pay rent, notice required is 10 days. Landlord must provide 30 days’ notice to increase rent if tenant is age 62 or younger; if tenant is over 62 years old, landlord must provide 60 days’ notice.

Can you rent an apartment out of state with no income?

While neither a management company nor an individual will be enthusiastic to accept a tenant with no proof of current income, there’s still hope (see our guide on How to Rent an Apartment Without Proof of Income ). When researching your living situation out of state, hone in on rentals by an owner.

Can a college graduate get an apartment without a job?

No potential landlord will be overly keen to let a young college graduate without a job or established credit history into their apartment building. They will, however, be keen to let your parents or established family members into the fold.

When was the last time I lived in an apartment?

After owning a home for the past 11 years, and living in one growing up, the only time I’d ever lived in an apartment before was with roommates in college. I always assumed I’d want a house.

How long have you lived in Your House?

The contents, collectibles and family memorabilia have most likely accumulated to enormous proportions over the past 40 years. What’s more, this home has become a part of your family or a part of your very being.

Is it hard to move out of a house you have lived in for 40 years?

Moving out of a place you’ve lived in for so long can be overwhelming physically and emotionally. The contents, collectibles and family memorabilia have most likely accumulated to enormous proportions over the past 40 years. What’s more, this home has become a part of your family or a part of your very being.

What’s the average life expectancy of a house built before 1970?

Naturally homes that are built with quality materials and good workmanship will last longer than ones built poorly. It is estimated that about 38% houses in the U.S. were built before 1970 and are thus now more than 49 years old, according to a survey by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Can a new landlord kick you out of a lease agreement?

Term Lease Agreement A term lease agreement is a housing agreement between landlord and tenant for a designated amount of time, typically 6-months to one year. If you learn about the sale of your rental property, and you still have a few months left on your lease agreement, your new landlord will not be able to kick you out.

What happens if there is no rental agreement?

Lack of a signed rental agreement does not eliminate those rights, but it may make recovering possession of a rental property slightly more challenging should the need arise. Read More: ​ Terminating a Month to Month Rental Agreement

What happens if there is no signed lease?

If the tenant fails to pay rent after being provided a three-day notice, the landlord may file an eviction with the courts. Each party, both landlord and tenant, is required to provide advance notice to terminate an agreement, even when there is no signed lease.

How often can I rent my home to my daughter?

You can rent your home to your daughter — or anyone else — for less than 15 days per year. The income you receive for these kinds of rentals is tax-free. However, you cannot deduct expenses as rental expenses.

Who is a tenant if you have no lease?

If you don’t follow the rules, you give the tenant the upper hand. A tenant is someone who lives in a property you own but do not reside in. A lodger rents a room from you in your own residence. If you have no lease, the terms are assumed to be a month-to-month lease.

Can you give a 30 day notice if you have no lease?

If you have no lease, the terms are assumed to be a month-to-month lease. This means you can provide a 30-day notice to either a tenant or lodger without reason to end the rental.

If the tenant fails to pay rent after being provided a three-day notice, the landlord may file an eviction with the courts. Each party, both landlord and tenant, is required to provide advance notice to terminate an agreement, even when there is no signed lease.

Is it bad to rent an apartment after breaking the lease?

Renting an apartment after you’ve previously broken a lease can be problematic, especially if the lease was recent or you want to rent from large, corporate rental companies with stringent tenant requirements. Anytime you abandon a rental property before your lease agreement expires and without landlord consent, it’s considered breaking a lease.

How long does it take for home prices to go down?

However, years of owning one home or successive homes is likely to iron out all but the most severe of those. Historically, home prices nationwide follow a long-term, upward trajectory, and recover from falls within a few years.

How long does it take to pay off a rental property?

Our two rental properties will be paid off in approximately 14 years…right in time for our two small children to begin college. We could use the rental income to pay for our children’s education. We could use it to pay for their living expenses while they study.

Renting an apartment after you’ve previously broken a lease can be problematic, especially if the lease was recent or you want to rent from large, corporate rental companies with stringent tenant requirements. Anytime you abandon a rental property before your lease agreement expires and without landlord consent, it’s considered breaking a lease.

However, years of owning one home or successive homes is likely to iron out all but the most severe of those. Historically, home prices nationwide follow a long-term, upward trajectory, and recover from falls within a few years.

Our two rental properties will be paid off in approximately 14 years…right in time for our two small children to begin college. We could use the rental income to pay for our children’s education. We could use it to pay for their living expenses while they study.

Can a tenant be late paying their rent?

Even after you find a qualified tenant, sometimes problems will still occur. Some of our tenants have been habitually late paying their rent. We have a late-fee stipulation in our lease, but we have never charged anyone. We simply don’t need the added drama, although we are probably just perpetuating the problem.

When does a home become a marital asset?

Although there are some isolated exceptions, your home is considered a marital asset if you and your spouse purchased it after you got married. This means both you and your spouse have a right to a share in its value.

How long can you rent a home before selling it?

This creates two examples to consider. If you live in your home for two years and then rent it out for two years before selling it, you qualify for the full exclusion amount due to meeting the use test by having lived in the home for two out of the last five years before the sale and meeting the ownership test.

When did I buy my house before I got married?

Q. I owned my house a long time before I got married, and this property is currently still in my name only. I got married five years ago, but I’m in the process of getting a divorce. Will my spouse be entitled to half of my property after the divorce? A. Every divorce is a little different.

What happens if I move in with no lease?

Having no lease also may benefit you in certain situations. Your status as a tenant at will generally affects the length of notice required for various actions. Minimum notice periods still apply for rental termination even with no lease.

How old do you have to be to sign an apartment lease?

A child is not a tenant and is considered an occupant until they reach the age of 18. A child occupant may be listed on the lease as an occupant under 18 years old but should not have to sign anything nor be listed as a tenant on the lease. >How old to rent an apartment and sign a lease?

Do you have to be on the lease for an apartment?

Landlords will have to make the personal decision on what standards to set for adult children.

When does the rent go up on a one year lease?

So if you’ve signed a one-year contract, it’ll be a year before rent can go up, or two years if you’ve signed a two-year lease (which is why signing a lease for two years or longer is wise to keep down rent). Or if you’re renting month to month, your rent can’t go up until the end of any given month.