Landlord Issues - InCluding Mail Delivery (2013, apartment, rental)

[chris_monro]

I have a problem. I began renting in October of 2013, without a lease (I know, that was stupid) based on an agreement (verbal), and have studiously paid my rent each month. There is a lot of back story here, but specifically, I have three issues:

1) I still have no lease, on property that is physically connected to the "main house" and the property is zoned as Single Family, so my address is the same as the landlord, but separated by a dead-bolt on the connection from my apartment to the main house. I have been asked to pay my rent always in cash, or if I write a check, make it out to "cash" rather than her name. What protection do I have from getting kicked out (she isn't the most stable person I've ever met, and frequently reverses or changes course without the benefit of communication) I have requested numerous meetings to discuss the matters, and I am getting nowhere.

2) The landlord is attempting to change the terms of the rental, and without a document we both agreed to, starting to charge for electricity or other utilities isn't part of what I budgeted, and seems "unfair". I did not anticipate this when I moved in.

3) Because of the rural location, on a private road, all US Mail is delivered to a box on the public right-of-way (1/2 mile away). As I am disabled, getting down to that box is almost impossible for me. When I first moved in, the mail was collected by one of several workers who daily attend to tasks on the property, and then was distributed to all who live here. There are 5 people living in this single address. I am no longer getting my mail, notices of packages waiting at the P.O. or anything. Since it's a Single-Family home, I can't get a separate box for my mail, and I don't know what to do.

ANY Help or suggestions would be VERY appreciated.

[Dax13]

Originally Posted by chris_monro

I have a problem. I began renting in October of 2013, without a lease (I know, that was stupid) based on an agreement (verbal), and have studiously paid my rent each month. There is a lot of back story here, but specifically, I have three issues:

1) I still have no lease, on property that is physically connected to the "main house" and the property is zoned as Single Family, so my address is the same as the landlord, but separated by a dead-bolt on the connection from my apartment to the main house. I have been asked to pay my rent always in cash, or if I write a check, make it out to "cash" rather than her name. What protection do I have from getting kicked out (she isn't the most stable person I've ever met, and frequently reverses or changes course without the benefit of communication) I have requested numerous meetings to discuss the matters, and I am getting nowhere.

2) The landlord is attempting to change the terms of the rental, and without a document we both agreed to, starting to charge for electricity or other utilities isn't part of what I budgeted, and seems "unfair". I did not anticipate this when I moved in.

3) Because of the rural location, on a private road, all US Mail is delivered to a box on the public right-of-way (1/2 mile away). As I am disabled, getting down to that box is almost impossible for me. When I first moved in, the mail was collected by one of several workers who daily attend to tasks on the property, and then was distributed to all who live here. There are 5 people living in this single address. I am no longer getting my mail, notices of packages waiting at the P.O. or anything. Since it's a Single-Family home, I can't get a separate box for my mail, and I don't know what to do.

ANY Help or suggestions would be VERY appreciated.

No lease, no protection......for you or the landlord. First thing to do is to put in an Individual Change of Address to a PO Box at the Post Office. Yes, you will have to go pick up your mail unless you forward it to a willing friend's address. Next depends on your desire to cut and run or slash and burn. Either way, you will have to move. You own nothing, have no legal standing, and verbal agreements are notoriously hard to legally enforce. And what about the other 5 people? Are they in the same boat? In fact, the owner of the property can claim almost anything and lock you out. You have nothing in writing. Yeah, the way I see it, you're pretty much screwed. You may have some recourse if you are a senior. If you are, google Senior Protection Services in Marion County. My guess is your landlord doesn't want anyone to know about the income or number of tenants. Work backwards to figure out who might be interested and drop a few dimes. HOA, Code Enforcement, Department of Children and Families, SNAP, Social Security, IRS, Unemployment......you get the idea. You do realize there is an order to these things to protect yourself and your interests.


Of course.....
I could be wrong.

[Kim in FL]

You need to move and soon.

While you do not have a written lease (very, very, very stupid thing to do) ..you do have an implied month to month lease and she has to give you a 30 day notice to vacate. She can't just call the cops and kick you out...it doesn't worth like that.

As for your mail..do you use that address for your license/insurance/ personal business? If so, that right there also proves that your a resident of the home...if you live somewhere more than 30 days and get mail delivered there...you're a resident and whoever owns the property has to formally evict you. Before this lady does that (and I doubt she will, sounds like she renting the unit illegally) give her a 30 notice and MOVE OUT.

Make sure your next rental comes with a written lease...good luck to you

[Oakback]

As a previous poster suggested, you do have an "implied" lease.
Although I'm no expert on Landlord/Tenant law in Florida, I do own a few houses in Florida.

Your landlord may be requesting "cash" payments, because they don't want to declare the income. Furthermore, the property may not have proper "zoning" for an accessory unit, assuming you have your own kitchen and bath.

You could act tough, but without a lease, they could probably get you out in a relatively short period.

I would suggest you pay all future rents with a money order, and keep a receipt.

[dixxi_moon]

Be thankful your not tied into a lease with her and get outta there asap. Lesson lernt. I was a landlord who let a couple move in without a lease and it was a lesson lernt to me. Thank God I didnt have to pay to evict them. Always have a lease.