No contract for over 4 months

[jstaskg]

I live in CA. I moved into my apt. on Jan. 6th. I paid my deposit of $1750 but never received a contract which I ask for every month. I have now been in this apt. for 4 months and was given the authority by my landlord to purchase miniblinds using a part of the rent. He is the type who says he will do things but never does. I told him that unless I receive a written contract before April 30, I will not pay rent until I receive one. Since there was a delay in receiving the miniblinds, (he doesn't believe I purchased them) he says that unless I pay the full rent he will start eviction proceedings in 48 hours.

Can he legally put me out seeing how I never signed a contract? He has cashed previous months checks, but says he will not cash this latest one which is less due to my miniblinds purchase. What type of recourse do I have??

 

[LL]

Yes, he can do all that. You must pay the rent and on time, and you do not have the right to offset it without landlord permission. He can even accept your partial payment, ask for the rest and then evict you based on the rent not being fully paid.

You can go to small claims court over the promise that he told you that he will pay for the miniblinds, but without something in writing, you will lose.

 

[jstaskg]

Thanks for your prompt response. Looks like I better play nice, huh?

 

[LL]

Its always a better way to do things.