Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Re: oral agreements

Real estate transactions must typically be in writing, however, circumstances may allow you to proceed with information you have. Would need to see all docs re rent to own agreement, etc. Call if you wish.

Re: oral agreements

Oral agreements for transfers of interests in real property aren't ordinarily enforceable. The courts have fashioned a few exceptions where part performance has occurred, where there has been substantial and reasonable "detrimental reliance" on an oral promise, or where the existence and principal terms of the oral agreement can be shown by some other writings.

In your case, the contract terms could perhaps be shown from your option contract; then the only remaining item of proof is whether you exercised the option in a permissible way.

Based on the limited information given, I think your chance of prevailing in court is less than 50-50, but better than zero. Perhaps there is something in the circumstances (the lease-option agreement, for example) that would improve your chances.

It is also possible that the threat of a suit would induce your landlady to keep her oral promise, so perhaps some tough negotiations would be a suitable prelude to an actual suit.

You should have an experienced real-estate lawyer look at your situation at an early stage.