I have been unable to pay my rent because I have been sick and my fiance stayed home to take care of our child because I was unable to. he has gotten back to work, but I still need surgery and will be unable to pick up my son for 4-6 weeks. Can I be evicted while I am in such bad shape, or is the eviction legal because of the rent issue? And if so, is there any way to stop it?
PLEASE HELP!!! Cincinnati, Ohio

Altenweg

I would think that your landlord can convict you, if you didn't pay the rent than he has legal grounds. Is the landlord aware of your circumstances, he is human, maybe he will be understanding and give you an extension.

progunr

The law does not take into consideration WHY the rent has not been paid, just that is has not been paid.

He can evict you for non payment regardless of the circumstances that caused you to be unable to pay the rent.

When you go to court, you can explain your situation to the judge, who may or may not take that into consideration, when he decides the case.

JudyKayTee

If you are served with eviction papers the best you can do is go to Court and defend yourself - but as a landlord, if you don't pay your rent I don't pay my bills so I couldn't wait however long it's been PLUS another 4-6 weeks.

Unfortunate that no one else could help you - will your fiance have a job in 4 to 6 weeks when he wants to go back to work?

Fr_Chuck

your landlord may agree to work things out if you have been a good paying renter

But yes of course, the landlord is in business, if he does not get his rent, he can not pay his mortage, his taxes, his insurance and so on. This is a business, If you did not have food, would you expect to be able to go into your local grocrey store and get food and just walk out with it, since you were too sick to work.

First check with the local welfare system, often there is emergany rent and help with electric and water if you have a documented need

progunr

Thats a great point!

Also, the Red Cross, and many Churches to assist folks if they can document the situation to their satisfaction, that it is not just someone trying to get something for nothing, without the dire circumstances as you are facing.

twinkiedooter

The local Salvation Army could help you with the rent. Hopefully you are not too far behind on this. Also they have other resources they can help point you to for more help. Look in the phone book for churches and call each and every one of them asking for help. If you go to a church and are a member, by all means call your pastor and speak with them about any help your church can give you. I have a friend who was 2 months behind in her rent and about to be evicted. She went to the Salvation Army and a local church group (that had several churches pool their resources into one helping center) and the Salvation Army paid one month and the other group paid the other month. She was then able to get back on her feet but it did take a lot of prayer and doing without to achieve this. Speak with your landlord and see what help (if any) they can help you with. It's worth a try. Not everyone is willing to lose a good tenant - but not everyone has a heart either. Please do not be discouraged. Call and call some more. Your dwelling status is at stake here. Be persistent but not overly so. Go in person if possible to the Salvation Army also. That has more weight to it in person than just a phone call. Take all pertinent papers with you as well showing how much rent you pay, dr bills, etc.