- Jurisdiction
- California
Me and my fiance moved in with my mother two years or so ago, our agreement [verbal] was that we would help her out with a few things in exchange for a place to live so we could eventually save up and move out on our own. No real written agreements of any kind. She owned only 4 dogs and 2 horses, and we assumed that is what she wanted help with, which was fine...At first. It went from helping her with animals, to help her around the house, to her asking for help with bills. We were willing to pay half of them, and she agreed. Then more animals, and more animals started to take over. It has gotten to 20+ and she is disabled but refuses to get rid of any of them. She illegally disposes of horse manure by leaving it in the rain and creating toxic fumes right outside my window. She lost her job and told us we had to pay all the bills. We have been intimidated into doing it, out of fear that she would try and force us out by torturing us mentally throughout our stay. All the chores started piling up, so did the bills. We never agreed to any of this, but felt that if we didn't she would try to do something insane. Screaming at us, telling us we're worthless, that I'm her daughter and I should be ashamed for not treating her better or taking care of her. All of it has driven me to near suicidal thoughts, and I get panic attacks on a daily basis, I cannot leave my room without being worried about another confrontation. On top of all this, there is mice in the walls, mold from leaking pipes in the walls, and my electricity in our room is now dead, no working outlets. She claims she is not the landlord, yet owns the home -- a home that from what I understand wouldn't even be up to code or rentable by the laws in ca. What can I do about this? and can she kick me out any time she wants despite bank statements saying we have been paying bills under her name for years now??