I live in Florida and rented a house in October from a "friend" with no lease. We had a verbal agreement that I would do significant repairs at my expense and deduct from future rent payments. Two weeks after I moved in he informed me that the house is being foreclosed on. Now he is demanding rent payments even though what I spent on construction exceeds the rent amount. What is my standing? Do I have to pay rent?

Thanks.

Do I have to pay rent?Hello kd:

You already DID pay rent per your agreement... Let him SUE you if he thinks you owe him more.

excon

I live in Florida and rented a house in October from a "friend" with no lease. We had a verbal agreement that I would do significant repairs at my expense and deduct from future rent payments. Two weeks after I moved in he informed me that the house is being foreclosed on. Now he is demanding rent payments even though what I spent on construction exceeds the rent amount. What is my standing? Do I have to pay rent?

Thanks.

Hello kdnnip. Unless and until the foreclosure ends with the bank or a third party, your landlord is still the owner of the property and can evict you if you stop paying. I am not sure what legal standings you have with a simple, "verbal agreement".

Speak to the landlord. Ask him if there is going to be a defense. If not, advise him that you want him to agree to terminate the lease due to the foreclosure interfering with your tenancy. If the landlord becomes unreasonable, see an attorney.

Here is a link which may assist you better: National Association of Consumer Advocates (http://www.naca.net/), it lists geographically consumer law attorneys all over the US.

If the owner claims you did not pay rent, then he has to go through an eviction. Part of that process will be a hearing. At the hearing you will tell the judge about your verbal agreement. You will then show him receipts and other proof of the improvements you made. The jusdge will then decide whether you have paid rent or not.