Columbus, IN asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Ohio

Q: The property was sold under land contract. I have lived here 11 years verbal agreement that I stay but now buyer renig .

Contract written in the state of Ohio, land is in Kentucky now the buyer wants me to vacate the premises but the seller said I could stay with the buyer sitting right there with them verbal agreement. Who has legal authority to affect me the buyer or the seller ? thank you

1 Lawyer Answer
Moshe Toron
Moshe Toron
Answered
  • Cincinnati, OH
  • Licensed in Ohio

A: It seems you cannot enforce the verbal agreement.

Here are 3 reasons:

1) There was no consideration for the verbal agreement. In other words, you were promised the right to stay, but you did not say if you gave anything in return, which is also known as "consideration" or payment. An agreement that was made in exchange for no consideration is not a contract at all and is probably not enforceable.

2) Under the statute of frauds in Ohio and Kentucky, any agreement for land must be in writing, if it is for a term exceeding one year.

3) Under the statute of frauds, any agreement that cannot be completed within a year is not an enforceable contract unless it is in writing.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.