I had a private contract with my landlord and due to financial circunstances I had to leave the apartment 1 month before the year lease was due. For 11 months I paid everything on time, but could not afford the last month. I left the apartment and we verbally agreed that once my situation got better I would pay him (1 month rent). He said he is going to take me to court, get a lawyer and will report to my credit. Can rent affect your credit even if it was a private contract with no ssn given? He also rented this place without prior autorazation of the board, can I use that in my defence? I have told him I am going to pay back slowly. What could he do?

First, you entered into a contract with him. There is no such thing as a "private contract" here. It's a contract pure and simple. That contract was to rent the unit for 12 months. You reneged on the contract, therefore he can employ any legal means to recover what was owed under the contract. So yes he can sue you and yes he can report the default to the credit bureaus.

I'm assuming this is a condo unit that he rented to you without board approval. That has no bearing on your relationship with him. That issue is between him and the board.

Did you sign a contract with your previous landlord? If you didn't have a contract I can't see how he has legal right. Make sure that you record the time and dates you talked to him as well it would be good to have witnesses on your behalf to be a witness to you stating you where going to pay him the last months rent when your situation gets better( Even writing a letter and sending it to him by registered letter, with you stating the fact you will pay him/her the last months rent, this would help you out in court if you where summand to go). I take it that there is no talking to him/her? Plus it would help if you cave us the country you live in as well what state or province you live in as well. I hope this was a help.

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Originally Posted by Scottish2008

If you didn't have a contract I can't see how he has legal right.

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Oral contracts can also be binding.

As a 'private contract' I meant it was done between me and him, no real state involved.
I am in Florida.

That doesn't make it any different from any other contract.