illegal?

[cryforme1v]

is it illegal to get a reciept from a room mate for rent if ur not on the lease?
according to my roomy and his parents, its illegal for him to give me a reciept for giving him money for rent because i'm not on the lease.

 

[HeyItsDani]

Why are you getting a receipt for rent if you're not paying any?

 

[Boundlife]

is it illegal to get a reciept from a room mate for rent if ur not on the lease?
according to my roomy and his parents, its illegal for him to give me a reciept for giving him money for rent because i'm not on the lease.

it may be against the lease for you to be living there, but there is nothing stopping them from giving you written conformation of money recieved. I'd check if you are legally allowed to live there and be ready to run.

Oh and dress appropiately if they drag you to visit Judge Judy

 

[cryforme1v]

the landlord knows i'm living here, he's not stupid. and i am paying rent. i'm actually paying all of rent. all of the bills. i'm the only one here with a job. and the roomy is saying that since i'm not on the lease, i have to leave because he doesnt want me here anymore. i'm fine with leaving - but i'm worried about being taken to court for all these months that i've been the only one paying and no receipt.

 

[cryforme1v]

its also month to month lease - not a full year or anything.

 

[Boundlife]

Hopefully your bank statments can back you up
NOW RUN, QUICK!


Why are you still here? RUN

 

[cryforme1v]

i have no where else to go. i have a kid, so i cant just sleep in my car for a few nights till i get word on apartments. hours from my family. and i dont really know anyone in this area besides the 1-2 minutes i see them as customers at work. so i have no choice but to stay here a few more days.

 

[Boundlife]

I'm sorry, I was being flipant and this is serious.
I hope you find a place soon

 

[nakdsub]

To answer your question

NO! It is NOT illegal. You should have demanded a receipt every time you gave the no-account roomy money. Although you'd probably would never get a dime back anyway.

Have you looked into Catholic Charities? They, sometimes, can come up with a temporary solution to problems and you don't even have to be Catholic.

There maybe other charities and services also in your area that could help you out for a few days. It sounds like you need to get out of where you're at and never look back.

 

[SweetErika]

No, it's not illegal for him to give you a receipt for money you've paid (especially if it's a loan), although it sounds like you haven't gotten receipts.

Since you're not on the lease, it's doubtful they could sue you for rent and win. The landlord can evict you and you can be asked to leave by your roomie as a guest who's overstayed their welcome at any time because you're not on the lease, but I don't think you can be sued for being an invited guest whether you paid rent or not. Just make sure you stick with the 'invited guest' thing, rather than admitting you've been a resident there.

As for places to live, definitely use whatever time you have to contact social service agencies, non-profits (like the YWCA) and churches in your area. You should be able to find something for you and your child, even if it's a shelter or extra room that someone in your area has. Some agencies and charities also provide temporary monetary assistance to needy families that you may be able to use for gas money or whatever to get back to your family. See if you can hook up with a social worker in the next day or two (but tap into all of the other available resources as well), and hopefully they can help you find housing and perhaps other assistance.

 

[_Virginia_]

A check cashed by the landlord (I hope you're paying by check and not cash!) is the same thing as a receipt, assuming you're paying the landlord directly.

It doesn't sound like the best living situation, but if you're going to stay, make sure you pay by check and I would recommend paying the landlord directly and not giving the money to your friend. As long as the landlord is paid, they aren't going to care who the check is coming from.

 

[_Virginia_]

...and as for your original question, no it is not illegal. I would be wary of anyone who wasn't willing to give me a receipt for money paid.

 

[SweetErika]

A check cashed by the landlord (I hope you're paying by check and not cash!) is the same thing as a receipt, assuming you're paying the landlord directly.

It doesn't sound like the best living situation, but if you're going to stay, make sure you pay by check and I would recommend paying the landlord directly and not giving the money to your friend. As long as the landlord is paid, they aren't going to care who the check is coming from.

Good advice. People pay rent for friends and family members and such all the time. If you're ever going to do that, or pay for a roommate, make sure you pay the landlord directly via check and write what the money is for in the memo line of the check (e.g. 'Sept. 2011 rent for Apt. 259').

The bigger question is why you're living with this freeloading guy, paying for everything and in such an unstable situation in the first place, especially since you have a child. Everyone makes mistakes, but hopefully you'll truly learn from this one and never repeat it because I'm sure you know kids need a ton of stability and a solid support system. Stick with reliable female roommates until you've been with someone long-term (probably 2+ years) and are almost positive you'll be very happy with them for at least another decade.

 

[bob53]

With the receipt for the rent paid it would technically become a sub lease. That gives you a LOT more rights in most states.
They would have to give you at least 30 days notice.
I do agree with everyone else that it would be a good idea to get out of there as soon as possible. You really don't need that hassle.

Might be worthwhile talking to the local Police dept / sheriff / magistrate, etc. They can't advise you but they can give you some ideas of what laws apply under different scenarios. Then look them up on-line for you state and make appropriate use of them as needed.

 

[swtrthnhoney]

Every state has renter's rights in their statues. Get yourself to a library or a law library and ask to get a copy of those statutes.

If the landlord knows you are living there and doesn't make a big deal out of it. Pay them directly with a check. Keep the check as your receipt.

If you are paying the utilities, do the same thing pay them with a check.

Hoard your groceries. Just because this person is "kind enough" to allow you to sublet doesn't mean that you are their doormat.

Protect yourself financially, emotionaly, and physically from this leech (and his ill-advised parents).

 

[subwannabe]

I'm not understanding your situation. You say you are paying all of the rent, all of the bills, etc, and he doesn't even work. Why don't you just go somewhere else (another apartment) and be on the lease and pay all of the rent, bills, etc.? You would be ahead because you wouldn't be supporting him anymore. I wouldn't worry about getting sued by him. It is very unlikely he could win for many reasons.