Job loss & Rent is due!!!

[Ellie]

My husband lost his job in Feb, we live in New York city. When we rented our house the landlord took a security deposit equal to a month's rent of 1,100.00 He does not have a lease, just a verbal agreement. He is unable to pay the rent for April due to this unexpected job loss. How long does he have to vacate the premises? Can the landlord sue him? & Can he use the security deposit to cover that month's rent? Mostly what worries him is, how much time are you allowed when somethng unforseen like the loss on a job happens?
I would appreciate any advice, Thank You.

 

[msattorney]

have you talked to the landlord about the job loss? Is he looking for a job? What are his prospects/ Normally, you still must pay your rent even if you lose your job. You cannot use your security deposit to pay your last month's rent. If you paid first and last month's rent when you moved in, then that can go towards your last month's rent. As to how long you can stay, that depends on the procedure in NY that a landlord has to go through in order to evict a tenant. There is probably a landlord/tenant agency listed in your phone book that could give you some specifics. If you cannot afford this, then you better start looking for a new place to live.