Ifmy landlords, who are my girfriend’s parents, become upset with me could theyevict me or try to kick me out?
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Ifmy landlords, who are my girfriend’s parents, become upset with me could theyevict me or try to kick me out?
Just curious if her parents got upset and wanted me out. No rental agreement. I pay half the bills, light, sewer and she pays the actual morgage to her parents.
Asked on January 11, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Washington
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Since you pay for the utilities and such, this is considered to be a form of rent. Accordingly, under the law you are a tenant. Since there is no written lease agreement, you are considered to be a month-to-month tenant. As such your "periodic" tenancy cannot be terminated without proper notice. In WA, such a tenancy is automatically renewed unless either the landlord or the tenant gives written notice to terminate at least 20 days prior to the end of the month. The tenancy cannot be terminated in the middle of any month unless the landlord agrees. In turn, the landlord cannot terminate the tenancy except at the end of the month and only after 20 days' prior written notice to the tenant.
This means that you cannot just be kicked out. Also, if your landlords do give you proper notice and you do not move, they can then will have to file for a formal eviction. If the try self-help measures, such as changing the locks, you might have a claim against them for unlawful eviction.
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