I am living with my boyfriend and have been since April of 2005. He was living in the apartment and never signed a lease. The landlord allowed him to do work on the apartment and some other properties he owned for deposit and first months rent. So a couple of months after moving in and we start putting our money together he tells me the rent is behind so we get caught up... then he loses his job and starts another one within a week but in the mean time his landlord hires him again to do some work on other properties he is buying so we can pay rent that way. Of and on for the last year he will randomly call and say we are late on rent payments and granted some of the time we were (he's maybe called 2 times)... and on two occasions he has sent some random scary looking man out here to collect rent... he sits in our driveway until we show up and it really creepy. So two weeks ago we get a letter saying we are three months behind and we owe it by the 15th or to vacate the premises. So we have rented else where and plan on being out by this weekend the 8th. We plan on sending a letter disputing what he has said, that we don't have a lease and this is the first time in well over two years we have ever received written notice about anything. On top of that there are exposed electrical wires, mold and the carpet was terrible and he promised to fix that and never did. But I get home tonight alone my boyfriend is at work and the creepy man is in the driveway and wants to play 20 questions and I played dumb (I don't know the landlord from joe blow), then he sits in the driveway for 20 minutes and knocks on the door and I did not answer. What are our rights if any? And anything we can do to get the creepy man away?

If anyone can offer any advice that would be great, I would totally appreciate it!

Julie

He must give you a 30 day notice to vacate since you are considered a month to month tenant. He has a right to knock on your door (it is his door too) to ask for rent. If he hangs around too long call the police since you can't be 100% sure he is your landnord. Let the cops work this out.

I am living with my boyfriend and have been since April of 2005. He was living in the apartment and never signed a lease. The landlord allowed him to do work on the apartment and some other properties he owned for deposit and first months rent. So a couple of months after moving in and we start putting our money together he tells me the rent is behind so we get caught up...then he loses his job and starts another one within a week but in the mean time his landlord hires him again to do some work on other properties he is buying so we can pay rent that way. Of and on for the last year he will randomly call and say we are late on rent payments and granted some of the time we were (he's maybe called 2 times)...and on two occasions he has sent some random scary looking man out here to collect rent....he sits in our driveway until we show up and it really creepy. So two weeks ago we get a letter saying we are three months behind and we owe it by the 15th or to vacate the premises. So we have rented else where and plan on being out by this weekend the 8th. We plan on sending a letter disputing what he has said, that we don't have a lease and this is the first time in well over two years we have ever recieved written notice about anything. On top of that there are exposed electrical wires, mold and the carpet was terrible and he promised to fix that and never did. But I get home tonite alone my boyfriend is at work and the creepy man is in the driveway and wants to play 20 questions and I played dumb (I don't know the landlord from joe blow), then he sits in the driveway for 20 minutes and knocks on the door and I did not answer. What are our rights if any? And anything we can do to get the creepy man away?

If anyone can offer any advice that would be great, I would totally appreciate it!

Julie
Thanks! I know this man that is hanging out is not the landlord, he told me today he was sent by him to collect rent. The letter he had delivered by the same creepy man on August 20 said if we don't pay the rent in full by Sept 15th we have to go and we will be gone by then.

You don't have to leave until Sept. 20th because of the 30 day notice but leaving early may be a good idea. This does not relieve you of the responsibility of this months rent, you still owe so he may sue you.

You say you have found another place and plan on being out by the 8th. So what's the problem? If the landlord decides to pursue you for back rent and take you to court, then you have to worry. But there is no deposit to worry about so I don't see what you are concerned about.