House in exchange for work, now fired and evicted

[tomnshelle]

What is the name of your state? Iowa

We started working in 11-04, taking care of hog confinements on Fri Sat Sun, in exchange for house. House was in shambles, took months of renovation before it was livable. Started work in 11-04, moved in 2-05. Bosses/Landlords have asked us to move, citing that we are not doing the chores as they expect/want them done. Not a problem. Was given this notice 5-27-06 verbally. Was also told we would have until ''first week of July'' to move. Was also said (by B/L) that it would be by the time ''next round of pigs come in''. We are in process of buying house, but not sure will be able to close by 7-1. B/L are aware of the situation, but are now saying that since pigs are going to be coming in sooner than that, we must be out by the time the new round comes in. No date given. What steps can we take to ensure we can stay until deal on house is done? We have nowhere else to go, closing costs are taking all available capital, so cannot afford a motel and storage. B/L offered us 2 choices when they gave us notice. They said we could pay rent, or continue to do the chores until the new roudn came in. We've tried to pay them twice, but they guilt my husband into doing them. ("Oh please? We are going to Adventureland this weekend, we really need you to do them" things of that nature) Husband is now doing chores to keep living here at this time.
I was hurt on the job last fall, went 2 ER. B/L won't pay any of med bills. Said since we are not "paid" then we are not on workman's comp. Can I compel them to pay at least part of the medical bills? They were notified within 15 minutes of the accident, verbally, so they were aware of it.
What, if any, notice are they required to give us, by law, since we have no lease?
Today, they came to the property to store a few pieces of farm equipment, and proceeded to open and enter a back area of the garage, which they told us was the only outbuilding that "went with the house". Is that legal? I believe they also opened an enclosed trailer that we have borrowed for the move, to see if any of the items in said trailer were theirs, I guess. Is that legal? (We were not able to use this portion of the garage, as it is filled with previous tenants' junk).
Please help. We're rapidly running out of time here.
Thank you.

 

[acmb05]

What is the name of your state? Iowa

We started working in 11-04, taking care of hog confinements on Fri Sat Sun, in exchange for house. House was in shambles, took months of renovation before it was livable. Started work in 11-04, moved in 2-05. Bosses/Landlords have asked us to move, citing that we are not doing the chores as they expect/want them done. Not a problem. Was given this notice 5-27-06 verbally. Was also told we would have until ''first week of July'' to move. Was also said (by B/L) that it would be by the time ''next round of pigs come in''. We are in process of buying house, but not sure will be able to close by 7-1. B/L are aware of the situation, but are now saying that since pigs are going to be coming in sooner than that, we must be out by the time the new round comes in. No date given. What steps can we take to ensure we can stay until deal on house is done? We have nowhere else to go, closing costs are taking all available capital, so cannot afford a motel and storage. B/L offered us 2 choices when they gave us notice. They said we could pay rent, or continue to do the chores until the new roudn came in. We've tried to pay them twice, but they guilt my husband into doing them. ("Oh please? We are going to Adventureland this weekend, we really need you to do them" things of that nature) Husband is now doing chores to keep living here at this time.
I was hurt on the job last fall, went 2 ER. B/L won't pay any of med bills. Said since we are not "paid" then we are not on workman's comp. Can I compel them to pay at least part of the medical bills? They were notified within 15 minutes of the accident, verbally, so they were aware of it.
What, if any, notice are they required to give us, by law, since we have no lease?
Today, they came to the property to store a few pieces of farm equipment, and proceeded to open and enter a back area of the garage, which they told us was the only outbuilding that "went with the house". Is that legal? I believe they also opened an enclosed trailer that we have borrowed for the move, to see if any of the items in said trailer were theirs, I guess. Is that legal? (We were not able to use this portion of the garage, as it is filled with previous tenants' junk).
Please help. We're rapidly running out of time here.
Thank you.

You are a month to month tenant and as such your landlord has to give you proper notice to move per your states LL/T laws.

You are a paid employee if you were getting a house that is worth money in exchange for pay. You can take them to court to cover your medical bills and possibly pain and suffering.

How were you hurt on the job? Was it a machinery malfunction or what? Could it have been prevented with proper maintenance?

 

[tomnshelle]

Hurt OTJ

I sprained my ankle, requiring X-Rays to determine this of course. It happened as I was leavnig the office (separate building from the actual confinement where hogs are kept). A pallet serves as a step up into the building, and a rug covers this pallet. I am not sure if I mis-stepped while exiting the building, or whether I tripped over a piece of the rug, or whether the rug was overhanging the edge and I misjudged. I just don't know what happened. All I do know is I ended up standing on the side of my ankle. I then called the boss, and told her what had happened, and was informed that yes I was on workman's comp, so it was no problem going to the ER. No sooner had I begun to finish my job there, the phone rang, it was the boss informing me, no, I am not on workman's comp. They don't "list" me on it since I do not receive a "cash wage".
About my question before -- Since I was given until July 1 to move, are they still bound by that oral agreement, even though it actually gave us a bit more than 30 days to move?
And since they've not given us anything in writing up to this point, would they have to give us 30 days from a written notice (say were we to get a written notice tomorrow, would it have to be a 30 day notice?)
Thanks so much!