(June 27, 2014 at 12:59 pm)Godslayer Wrote: So, my g/f and I are currently renting a house from a sort of slumlord type landlord which wasn't too bad, but it got worse a week ago. What happened is, the new landlord acquired/bought this rented house I'm staying in on/at a Tax Sale (which basically means the old landlord didn't pay his property taxes on this place so it went on the market).
The scary part is, now they both expect me to pay them rent this month and they both have threatened me with eviction. Even though the old landlord gave me no notice that place was on the market. On top of that, the Realtor who sold this house said the old and new landlords have to work out who I pay rent to and when I asked them to talk to each other they both claim the other one is avoiding the other one's calls.
I want to know who has legal right to ask for rent? and do they both have the power to evict me? or should I be getting a lawyer? can't afford that, small claims court? should I just give them both the 1 month notice to avoid this? etc. this is all very overwhelming, I haven't been sleeping well lately. EDIT: I should have mentioned where I was from since the laws are different state to state. Minnesota.
I have no idea what the laws are in your state. Personally, I would consult with an attorney.
You may owe your original landlord some rent, however I do not think he has the legal ability to evict you - he is no longer the property owner and has no rights over the property.
Me, I'd consider some options.
1. Talk to a lawyer.
2. Tell both I'm holding the rent until they work out between themselves who gets what.
3. Prorate the rent and pay each and tell them to work it out amongst themselves.
4. Pay the one that has the legal power to evict me.
5. Move.
None of these options will keep one or the other (or both) from suing you.
If I got an eviction notice over this, I'd fight it. It'll take months or longer for them to get rid of you.
