WE rented a home where the landlord owned three houses next to each other. There was an upstairs with a staircase outside leading to it. (two story)We paid first, last security, pet deposit. The people upstairs who worked for the rentee got into a disagreement. They called the housing authority and the house was deemed illegal for this area because it had a staircase inside we did not know about because they made the stairwell into a closet. It was suppose to be a one family. We had to move out and they rented the house next door to us which was 500.00 more expensive but we had no choice on such a short notice.
There is no lease just that the rent is 1,000.00 a month.
We now owe late fees. Do they have a right to charge us late fees? They actually offered the house next door back to us which is trashed because she again rented it out illegally using it as a boarding house. (renting rooms)
Our we intitled to the late fees back and the security and last month? We are now two months behind because we couldn't afford this place but because of the hasty move we had to make we were unprepared. We have rented from her for three yrs.
Thank you, Pam

It is very possible that you are entitled to a refund of all of the rent you previously paid for the illegal apartment. Tell us where you're located and we'll see if we can find the applicable law.

Florida

I haven't been able to find any laws on this issue for Florida. However you should be able to get an answer on that from the housing authority.

In the meantime, unfortunately you are responsible for late fees for the new place if the lease provides for them. The new place is separate from the old one.

Contact the housing authority asap. If they tell you that you're entitled to a refund then you can use that to negotiate with the landlord. Just tell the landlord that you'll forget about the refund if the rent for the new place remains the same amount as the rent for the old place and that all late fees are dropped.

Lisa, there is no lease at all and we have been living here for a year. (new house) Now they want us to leave and go back to the other one because they want to upgrade this one. We aren't in a financial position to do this. She wants us to pay the 1 month back rent and laye fees to move over to the other house.

First thing you should do is find a new place to live. Do not rent another place from this landlord. After you find a new place, give her 15 days written notice that you are leaving. You have already paid the rent for the last month so this shouldn't be an issue.

After you have moved out, if she does not return your security deposit then you should file a lawsuit against her. Include in your lawsuit a claim for the security and also make a claim for your moving costs and all of the rent you previously paid for the illegal apartment. The worst thing that can happen is that a judge will not award you the rent for the old place.

But you should definitely find a new place to live asap. It sounds like this landlord is toxic.

Good luck!