Hello,

About this time last year I moved into an apartment with a family member we live in NJ. Last I knew the 2 family was owned by my aunt & uncle, that lived on the 2nd floor & I lived on the 1st floor with their daughter. I have recently found out that the house is actually in someone's else's name and he is selling the property. Now this is where it all gets "crazy" for me. My cousin that I live with now is in the process of moving into her own home, her dad that still lives upsatairs is also moving * my aunt, passed away early last year, I'm NO relation to my "uncle" other then marriage* I didn't think about actually saving for money to move since we had previously discussed me moving in with her & her kids that I help with I was going to split rent with her. Which made the living arrangement good for all I also have a child. As it stands she is moving into her home while I'm left behind in the apartment we shared. There were no monies being paid here by either of us, her husband just happen to come across a great deal on a house and they went for it. Ok before I babble into confusion. My only concern is me and my child. Since the house is up for sale and no one has been paying rent, where does that leave me? I unfortunately do not have the funds to move out as fast as she did, by law in NJ how long do I have to reside here until I have to legally be out. I don't want to fight with anyone I just need to know my rights if I were confronted by realtors and such because the last lady that came to show the house wasn't very nice.
Thank you for your time in reading this... if I left any information out that is needed please just ask.

TY... Paula

This is a bit harder to answer without knowing the intentions of the buyer. NJ law makes it very difficult to terminate a lease without due cause.

But your situation is complicated by the fact that you have no lease and, therefore, little legal standing. At the least, the new owners would have to give you 30 days after they close. But its possible, they will be willing to continue to rent the apartment to you. Its also possible they want the apartment for a relative of theirs.

Have you heard anything from the buyers yet? Have you talked with them? If not, I suggest you do so as soon as possible to find out their intentions.

This is a bit harder to answer without knowing the intentions of the buyer. NJ law makes it very difficult to terminate a lease without due cause.

But your situation is complicated by the fact that you have no lease and, therefore, little legal standing. At the least, the new owners would have to give you 30 days after they close. But its possible, they will be willing to continue to rent the apartment to you. Its also possible they want the apartment for a relative of theirs.

Have you heard anything from the buyers yet? Have you talked with them? If not, I suggest you do so as soon as possible to find out their intentions.


As far as I know as of TODAY, the house is JUST being shown to possible buyers, my concern right this minute would be if they wanted the property emptied for whatever reason, where does that leave me? My "uncle" still lives in the 2nd floor apartment but is moving shortly himself, we don't talk since my aunts passing so asking him anything isn't working. I have no idea what the real owners name is I just see the realtor when she decides to come by.

Ask the Realtor if they can give you the owner's name and contact info. You can then try to get them to give you a lease.

You can also find the owner at the County Clerk's office.

Who exactly owns the house, and does this owner know you are living in the house?

That is the first issue, it appears all of the actual renters have moved and your agreement to live there was with them.. So you were basically it appears actually sub renting from the other renter.

At this point I guess the owner could try and consider you a tresspasser, but most likely they will consider you a month to month renter and can get you out with a 30 day notice