Leases Welcome
Aug 30

Dear GirlLegal: Is it legal for a Landlord to put you out just because you had questions about previous rent being paid? He stated that I had this month to vacate his property. Please help I need to know what can I do about this situation. Thanks.

Dear Patrice: You want to know if a tenant can be evicted for no reason, or for asking questions about prior rent payments. I hope the following information helps you.

Generally a landlord cannot evict a tenant for no reason. He must base his decision on one of five legally sufficient grounds for eviction: lapse of time, nonpayment of rent, material noncompliance with the lease, breach of statutory duties, and illegal conduct or serious nuisance.

However, these grounds usually apply to landlords and tenants with written lease agreements. If there is no written lease, and the tenant is paying monthly payments, then a landlord needs only to give the tenant written notice (usually 30 days) to terminate the lease. If the tenant does not leave at the end of that time, the landlord can evict.

An “eviction” is a legal proceeding by which the landlord seeks to reclaim the premises and put the tenant out. Landlords should find out the legal grounds for evicting a tenant as well as the proper notification requirements. You, as the tenant could receive compensation for costs paid because of unlawful eviction.

Since you are the tenant, you need to know how you can defend yourself against an unjustifiable eviction. To protect yourself, know what your lease says. Also find out the eviction laws in your area by contacting your lawyer, by contacting your local government—many cities have a department of consumer affairs or housing department to help you. Or, if your rent is subsidized, check whether the subsidy program will help. You can also ask the local library for the municipal code regulations on eviction.

The following are legal grounds for eviction in most areas:

Non-payment of rent: The landlord must inform the tenant in writing that full rent is due by a specific deadline or the lease will be terminated. If the landlord refuses to take full payment and the tenant can prove it, the eviction can be challenged in court. After the deadline, the landlord doesn’t have to accept payment.

Other tenant violations: The landlord must inform the tenant in writing of the supposed violation. The tenant must have ample time to correct the problem. If the tenant does nothing to correct it, the landlord may evict.

Lease has expired: If the landlord doesn’t extend an expired lease and the tenant refuses to leave, the landlord may evict. The tenant must be given written notice.

No lease: When a tenant rents month to month without a lease, a landlord needs only to give written notice (usually 30 days) to terminate the lease. If the tenant does not leave at the end of that time, the landlord can evict.

Thanks for visiting GirlLegal.com - I strive to respond to all questions as a  free service to the internet community on an ongoing basis. The intent is to provide answers that are both practical and useful. Feel free to ask questions and link back to this website.

Copyright (c)2010 by Zihriah Inc. Thank you for your interest in GirlLegal.com. We do not allow republication of our full newsletters and articles. However, you can post a portion (no more than 90 words, 1-2 paragraphs) of our content with a live link back to our homepage (http://www.GirlLegal.com) or a link to the specific article you are quoting from.

\\ tags: , , , , ,



About GirlLegal.com | Contact Us | Submit a Link | Conditions Of Use | Privacy Policy

LEGAL NOTICE - The information provided by GirlLegal.com is 'AS IS' without any warranty of any kind. This site is for information only, it does not constitute legal advice, or advice of any kind.
GirlLegal.com is not your lawyer. Even though GirlLegal.com and SIE Investments LLC has owners and managers who are attorneys, the Company does not practice law. You should not infer sponsorship, endorsement, or approval by GirlLegal.com of any content you find on this site.
GirlLegal.com may also contain content provided by other people, which GirlLegal.com may not have reviewed, and for which GirlLegal.com is not responsible. GirlLegal.com does not have control over this content, or for the content found on any site linked to or through it.
Your use of this site also constitutes agreement with the additional terms and conditions. See also the GirlLegal.com Privacy Policy.
GirlLegal.com® and GirlLegal.com® design, logo and brandname are registered trademarks with all rights reserved.
All website contents under Copyright © 2008 GirlLegal.com, SIE Investments LLC. All rights reserved.
GirlLegal.com® design and logo created by Nathan Carter. GirlLegal.com website designed and created by WestKYDesigns.


GirlLegal uses industry standard encryption to protect the confidentiality of your personal information.