Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Massachusetts
My landlord gave me a notice to vacate by May 31, 2012. I told him I was leaving on July 6th because that is when I can close of the condo I am buying, what are my rights? I have lived there for 29 years and also took care of the lawn and snow removal. Also at the end of the parents lives, who where my original landlords I took care of them, (food shopping, managing their checkbook/bills, etc). My landord is their son who is selling the house
2 Answers from Attorneys
If you don't move out by May 31, 2012, the landlord will have to evict you. Make sure you keep paying rent. It is unlikely that the landlord will be able to actually evict you before July 6. Even if the landlord gets this before a judge in time, the Judge should give you the time until July 6 as long as you keep paying rent.
I agree with Attorney Pransky. First, your landlord has to properly terminate your tenancy. It is possible that they did not do so correctly. Assuming they did, and you remain in the unit past May 31, 2012, they will have to file in court to evict you. My advice would be to retain counsel and spend a little bit of money to make sure that you are guaranteed housing during the month of June and July. There are things that one can do to ensure more time. Perhaps the best course of action would be a settlement agreement that avoids court altogether.