Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Connecticut
Rental situation
In March, I responded to an ad for a roommate to share a townhouse for $900/mo. A week prior to the move in date, my prospective roommate tells me that she is moving out due to a job promotion out of state. Because my lease has ended, I must still move. So I move in. On the 1st day, the landlord's husband drops off two copies of the lease agreement for us. I give him $1800 for my part and he later provides a receipt for the deposit and April's rent. On May 1, I paid $900 again for the month. The landlord has found no one to rent the other room. Yesterday, 5/9, I find a letter from the landlord telling me that she has rented the entire place to someone else and since they will move in on 6/6, I must move out. Sorry.
I believe my rights have been violated and the house shown w/o my knowledge. What are my legal right's? Do I have to move by this date? What is my recourse here?
Thank you.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Rental situation
Did you sign the lease? Did the LL sign the lease? If not, you may be out but can drag it out for another month or so. Of course, you could try to stay in and LL would have to try to evict you. A lot will turn on what the terms of the contract say. But - in a general sense - if you have a contract for possession of the property (i.e. some lease or rental agreement - oral or written) then you probably have a legal right to stay in. You can call me if you like to discuss further 8601.786.8763.
Re: Rental situation
Atty. Magwood summed it up well. You can get at least thirty days to move out, but if the lease was signed by both of you and an enforceable contract exists, you have rights to the property depending on what the lease provides. Feel free to contact me as well, if you need to. 203.540.5228