Still no lease agreement signed! (Ann Arbor: apartment complex, leases, house)

[vanessaliz18]

Good Morning everyone!

On February 1st I moved into a new apartment agreeing to a 1 year lease. I paid the 1 month security and first month's rent in cash as the super reqested. I received a paper receipt that can be purchased at any store. That's where I first became concern. For the following month I also paid cash but I did not receive any receipt, I've asked numerous times for my lease and the super keeps brushing it off and now the land Lord is "on vacation". It's now April, 9th and my rent is due tomorrow, Can I refuse to pay this months rent until I receive my lease? Please help!

[teachbeach]

This is a situation where I would be afraid if I took any drastic action. They can evict you quicker than you can prove you don't have a lease. I would pay at least a week's rent and ask for the lease to be provided within a week. If you are a student, contact your local housing authority or the free law office (PIRG or student legal service) at U of M to see what they advise. If you are not a student, try the Washtenaw County Housing Authority. Perhaps if you were to have some letterhead clout on your side, things would change.

[belleislerunner]

If you haven't received a lease, how do you know you agreed to a one year lease? Maybe you agreed to an 80 year lease =)

That's a lot of money you have to pay!

Kidding aside, leases longer than one year do need to be in writing. You can have oral contracts that are enforceable if under a certain dollar amount or length of time.

Good luck!

[craig11152]

Out of curiosity are you in the city limits of Ann Arbor?
Or actually in a township on the edge?
Is your security deposit just the equivalent of one months rent?
Is it an apartment in a house or an actual apartment complex?

There is something very not right about somebody asking you to pay your rent and security deposits in cash. I would look for another place fast. And if you find one don't pay your last months rent. Let him take it out of your security deposit.....thats assuming you aren't trashing the apartment.