I rent a room and have house privileges in an owner-occupied house. Today she locked me out by locking the deadbolt that I don't have a key to and leaving. I managed to get through a window. She threatened.to call cops sincei "broke in." Then she gave me 30 days to leave and said she was Changing the locks so if I want to get in I have to call her. We live in NJ, have a verbal agreement, and I've always paid rent early. My young daughter also lives here.

Get out of there a soon as possible. It sounds like your landlord isn't very together and you could cause trouble to yourself and your daughter by staying there any longer. As for the verbal agreement you won't get very far so just move asap. Hope you find somewhere soon

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Originally Posted by renter1212

I rent a room and have house privileges in an owner-occupied house. Today she locked me out by locking the deadbolt that I don't have a key to and leaving. I managed to get through a window. She threatened.to call cops sincei "broke in." Then she gave me 30 days to leave and said she was Changing the locks so if I want to get in I have to call her. We live in NJ, have a verbal agreement, and I've always paid rent early. My young daughter also lives here.

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You have a month-to-month "tenancy at will". Was the 30-day notice in writing? She would not be able to file in court to evict you until after such 30-day written notice. She cannot legally lock you out by changing the locks, and therefore you were within your rights to enter through the window. So apparently she thought better of it.

Another expert on this forum, LisaB4657, will tell you that New Jersey is very tenant-friendly, and that there is a list of a dozen or so reasons a landlord can evict you. If the reason they want you out is not on that list, your landlord is out of luck.

Demand she give you a key, or you can sue her for your issues ( what if she is not there and you have to wait) She can not lock you out and you can legally "break" in if you need to.

As noted you have tenant rights. Since you have a verbal agreement you are a month to month tenant. However, as also noted, NJ requires an automatic renewal except in certain instances.

But here's the thing do you really want to remain in a place where the landlord no longer wants you?

So here's what you do. You tell the landlord that you will move, but she has to give you proper written notice and she can't interfere with your tenancy until then. Then find a new place ASAP. If she does lock you out, call the police and a locksmith Have the locksmith let you in, then file suit against the landlord for an illegal eviction.