Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Ohio

My partner and I rented a house together two years ago. She located the property and was the person who primarily dealt with the owner in arranging the agreement. There is no lease or written agreement. The owner was well aware then and now that I live in the house as well. My partner receives Social Security disability. I am a salaried worker who gets paid on a monthly basis. Out of convenience, we have always used her check to pay the rent because it arrives when the rent is due and is basically just enough to cover the rent of $700. My monthly check of $2500 is used for utility payments and other monthly expenses, such as gas for our vehicles, food, pet needs, etc. Recently my partner allowed her daughter and son-in-law to move in wth us. He installs floor tile and had not worked for some time and the daughter has apparently chosen not to work, so they lost their home. I was told I had no say in them moving in with us, and that they would find work and get their own place as soon as possible. They have made no attempt to find any kind of work at all and it seems that if there is no work available in flooring then they do not plan to work at all. Last night the daughter and I got into an argument about their failure to attempt finding work. My partner became irate and told me that she is the renter of the house so I have no say in anything that takes place there. She told me that she wants me to leave ASAP. She also says she had a conversation with the home owner, who says he considers her the sole renter because she is the one who gives him the money each month. I am being told I must leave and I have no legal rights because I am not considered a true tenant. I am also being threatened with being removed by the police, again because they say I have no rights since my partner arranged the rental and hands over the money. She asked the owner to give her a receipt in her name, which she says is all she needs to put me out. Normally, we never even got a receipt. Do I have any rights? I have lived there two years with no problems and the owner as always been aware that I lived there and paid expenses for the household.


Asked on 11/07/11, 8:27 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Nancy Fioritto Patete Nancy Fioritto Patete, Esq.

It's unfortunate that you and your partner are having these problems. Since there is no written lease, the contract is determined by you and your partner's actions. If you want to assert your right to remain a tenant, you need to prove that you were also responsible with the terms of the lease even though the lease is not written. I suggest speaking with the landlord directly. Finally, have you asked yourself why, if you are able to walk away from this rental without additional costs to yourself, given that your partner has invited you to do so, and given the conflict that presents itself, you aren't considering another place to live.

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Answered on 11/07/11, 12:09 pm


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