Landlord has asked us to move out by end of this month. Help, advice needed!

[studentwannabe]

Hi

We are a family with a young child renting in a commercial building with no lease and have been living here for the past 10 years. The landlord just informed us tonight, August 23, 2011 at 9.30 in the night that we have to move out by the end of the month! The reason given to us was that they need to repair the gas pipelines due to a building violation. I don't know how true this is (the landlord has never been very truthful with us as on many ocassions we've found out otherwise).

We are renting a room sharing the kitchen & common area with another family. They were informed at least 2 weeks before about this and yet we were only informed tonight about it. The landlord has told us that they found us another place to live but the rent is about $100 more. We are a low income family living on a single income and can't afford an extra $100 per month and don't have much time to look for somewhere else that is affordable and suitable.

Please help or advice us on what we can do and what our rights are. We live in NYC.

 

[army judge]

If he's telling you the truth, you'll be out regardless.

You don't have to voluntarily leave.

But, if you don't, you can stay until you're evicted.

Then what will you do?

Take his deal.

Worry about the extra $100 after you're outta there.

If he's telling the truth, is $100 worth the health (or God forbid), the life of one of your loved one's?

 

[studentwannabe]

Thanks for your reply Army Judge but we are just looking for more time to find a suitable place. Wondering if he can do that (i.e. give us such short notice) and what our rights are.

 

[army judge]

He did it.

Is it legal?

No, in that he can ask.

You can refuse or ignore.






If you take that route, legally he'd have to take you to court.







A landlord can ask you to leave.




If you ignore the request, he/she has to take you to court.

Only a judge can order you to leave.



If you ignore the judge, he can issue an order to the sheriff or marshal to remove you and your stuff.

That will buy you additional time.



But, it mars your record. Some landlords will not rent to people that have eviction proceedings in their background.

But, it'll get you 6-8 weeks in that same place without paying rent.

That is only an average. Sometimes more, sometimes less.

 

[mightymoose]

The landlord can't legally force you out. You can stay if you need to but will encounter various difficulties.
If your landlord really does want you out, see if they are willing to give you a little cash to help ease the burden of the new and higher rent. Maybe $1000 and moving expenses in exchange for your quick departure? You best verify the terms at the new residence before you commit to anything.