Does a friend I have been living with have the right to deny me full access to my stuff with only 2 days notice for me to get out?
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Does a friend I have been living with have the right to deny me full access to my stuff with only 2 days notice for me to get out?
I have been living with a friend for about 2 years now. We only have a verbal agreement on my residence in her home and she recently has given me a 2 day notice that she will be changing the locks and that I need to get all of my stuff out. I have been paying $500-$600 a month depending on bills, not including food for the household. I am still a paying “tenant” at her residence.
Asked on April 2, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Texas
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If you are paying rent withhout a written lease, you are a month-to-month tenant on an oral lease. That means that your friend can terminate your tenancy on 30 days notice--that is, she has to provide at least 30 days notice (just as you could terminate your tenancy and move out on 30 days notice). If she locks you out without providing the requisite notice, she will have illegally evicted you, and you could sue her for re-instatement in the premises and/or for monetary compensation.
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