What rights does a tenant have to a roommate without notifying landlord?

Full question:

Tenant A is renting a duplex. Tenant A and Landlord A entered into an informal agreement with no lease. Tenant A has allowed a friend (Tenant B) to move in without notifying Landlord A. Landlord A finds out that Tenant B has moved in and tells Tenant A that Tenant B must move out or Tenant A will be evicted. What are Tenant A's rights?

Answer:

Generally without a lease agreement, Tenant A is a month-to-month tenant, and in some jurisdictions, Landlord A can terminate the agreement on 30 days notice and then evict Tenant A unless there is a local housing ordinance or illegal discrimination. However, Landlord A must submit written notice to Tenant A before legal actions to evict may be commenced.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

An informal lease agreement is a verbal or unwritten arrangement between a landlord and tenant, without a formal lease document. This type of agreement can create a tenancy, often on a month-to-month basis, but lacks the protections and clarity that a written lease provides. It may leave both parties vulnerable to misunderstandings about terms such as rent, duration, and responsibilities.