Invalid lease... do I still have to give 30 days by law?

[observer53]

Originally Posted by jefe09

How is a lease legal if it's not a rental property??

Well, go talk to a lawyer about this if you want, but it IS a rental property, it's just not reflected on the assessor's records as such. That't not making your lease go away. If she were living there, she could still rent you a room. I think you are grasping at straws. Work something out with her, discuss the issues you have, or give her the notice the lease provides for, and get on with your life. I think you are making way too much out of this, when you made the mistake of moving in before you saw the lease, and then signing it anyway.

[jefe09]

Good info Zippyman, makes sense that it wouldn't save ME in court, it would just a nightmare AFTER the fact for the landlord TAXwise ... I'll check the landlords name for any filings (Google-Fu time)

Thanks everyone for the thoughts...

[bchristian83]

It actually wouldn't be a nightmare tax wise at all based on the county assesdor filing alone. It's only $10 to change filing to rental, and property taxes are not increased for rental vs primary residence (at least in Maricopa county). There might be a penalty of $1-2/month for not filing iirc.

If she's also not paying any city privilidge tax (if applicable), then that might cost some money, but that's completely independent of the county assessor classification.

[macluffy]

Originally Posted by jefe09

Thanks for the reply...

*There was never any flooding through the floors, just a lot of noise from pipes that kept me up and no hot water, but yes ultimately the pipe was fixed
**Someone was let in the room to check on the after work that may need to be done..this was the least of the issues but still an invasion of privacy
***There have been other roommates in that room in the past and she knows and acknowledges that it's warmer
****The lease was given to me after I had already moved and I didn't feel like I had any choice(I understand this was my fault)
*****I looked up the taxes for the address through the County Assessor's office online and for the last 5 years at least it's been filed as a primary residence, which is illegal (to be clear I would only use this info as a last resort)

Thanks again...

Yep- just like someone else said- HER taxes have NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU. Just like Judge Judy says "if you eat the steak, you have to PAY for it! Don't like it? MOVE! Just move.

It sounds to me, personally, that you are looking for some way to get out of paying rent. I doubt that this lady would take you to court over not giving 30 days. If so- who cares?? its a ROOM for rent- not a corporate management company with a team of high priced attorneys. Just move. 600.00?? You can find a condo, with all utilities PAID in Central Phoenix for that price!! and you're renting a crummy ROOM in someone else's house?? that's outrageous- even if house privileges are included. Ugh I would live in a closet before I shared a living space with other people (unless a husband or child you know what I mean)


just get out of there- sounds like you hate it and you don't get privacy. You can't guarantee privacy when you share a place like that. Just pack up and GO. Forget the 30 days nonsense- I would. But all this is up to you you've got to weigh it out see if its worth it.

And stay out of people's tax business- you have WAY too much time on your hands to be middling around like that!