Q: I rent 3 rooms in my landlords home for me and my mom.
Mom passed away and I can't afford to pay for the roomi don't use my Landlord has finally agreed to rent the extra room out and posted an ad . I have been showing the room to all interested. She still wants me to pay for the room untill it is rented even though she has agreed to separate the room and rent them separately. She said she would prorate my rent as soon as someone rents it but is that fair?
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A:
I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your mother - dealing with housing concerns while grieving must be incredibly difficult.
From a legal standpoint, you remain responsible for the full rent payment under your original rental agreement until your landlord formally modifies the lease or finds a new tenant. While it may feel unfair, your landlord is within their rights to require continued payment for the room, even as they work to rent it out. The good news is that they've agreed to prorate once a new tenant is found, which shows some willingness to work with your situation.
Given that you're actively helping show the room and your landlord is making efforts to find a new tenant, you could try negotiating for a reduced rate during this transition period, especially considering the circumstances. You might want to put any new agreement in writing to protect yourself. If needed, you can seek guidance from your local housing authority or legal aid organization to understand your specific rights and options under California law.
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