Q: I have no lease and said explicitly that my stay in her house was temporary. I gave 10 days notice. Do I still owe rent?
Hi! So I was staying with a friends family and paying rent. I also helped with utilities and groceries if I ate them. Her aunt (homeowner) had become increasingly controlling (telling me I needed her permission to date people, entering my room without permission, and drinking every night- there were numerous fights between other roommates). I left and gave notice on November 20 that my stay was complete (key left and everything). She refused to let me bring help to get a big desk and chair unless it was times that she was able (which are key times I was working) and she also was out of town 4 days, but otherwise the room and bathroom were left clean (I have photos). She is claiming I owe December rent and I am still occupying space. We have no lease and even talking about my stay (a verbal agreement), there was no conversations about rental term ending and/or money owed after the fact. She is threatening small claims court where I will pay her fees and pay her for pain and suffering.
A: This is the problem with oral lease agreements. What one person thinks are the terms of the lease, another person thinks otherwise. You may have to seek a decision of a judge for a final answer.
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