Is it legal to share the whole apartment? (Los Angeles, Glendale: foreclosure, rental)

[Hanul]

I live in an apartment located in Glendale, Los Angeles country.

One I want to know is that my landlord share the whole apartment.

What I mean is, we pay the rent fee every month but did not write any kinds

of contract nor application. There are about fifteen families are living here but

nobody have not ever written any paper contracts. They just pay the

apartment fee every month.

I think the landlord is illegally sharing to avoid any taxes.

I am also afraid I could be then a illegal tenant. She (the landlord) said

she did not have any contracts. Without contract, how can I claim my

tenants rights?

[james203]

los angeles county is the most populated county in america.get a rental contract and protect yourself.never ever pay your rent in cash.dont trust landlords.dirty rats......

[Paula Lynn]

What you have is an oral agreement. Which is perfectly legal. If your landlord is doing something "fishy", it's her problem. James is right, tho. Never pay cash, never give them a blank check or money order and always ask for a receipt. Checks would be the preferred method of payment, as you can always get copies from your bank.

I'm in property management and have several properties. I'm sorry what you're going through. Landlords like her give us a bad name.

[Mel2882]

An oral agreement? I don't know much about this, I just know from watching court shows that an oral agreement usually gets you in trouble!

[Paula Lynn]

An oral agreement is actually a benefit to the tenant - nothing is in writing.

[Sorcerer68]

Leases under 1 year do not have to be in writing.

[MsV]

Always use a check, and speak with your other "apartment dwellers" - see what they think. I think you are wise enough to see what the landlord is doing. Good luck!

[LHMwife]

Originally Posted by Paula Lynn

What you have is an oral agreement. Which is perfectly legal. If your landlord is doing something "fishy", it's her problem. James is right, tho. Never pay cash, never give them a blank check or money order and always ask for a receipt. Checks would be the preferred method of payment, as you can always get copies from your bank.

I'm in property management and have several properties. I'm sorry what you're going through. Landlords like her give us a bad name.

Paula Lynn, I have a question for you (or anyone else who might have some insight). I just read on another blog about a guy who attended a foreclosure auction and the property being auctioned had a tennant in it. His comment was "I guess you have to throw the tennant out yourself if you get the house..." Anyway, here's my concern: We are just in the process of handing over a first, last and security deposit some nearly $3,500.00 bucks to someone. What if that landlord is currently in foreclosure? How do you know if the person your handing over all your sensitive information to (s.s.#, CDL#, etc.) is even the owner of a property. All these shifty landlords we've spoken to are starting to make me nervous. It seems like everyone we have encountered wants us to buy their house, not rent it. Am I just being paranoid worrying that we're going to get thrown out after we get all moved in somewhere...does that potential exist?