Can you be sued for rent if you never signed a lease?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a lawyer, but basically what you're hearing is correct. Without documentation - which neither of you have - it's your word against his. The results will really come down to how good the presiding magistrate is. He'll have a much harder time making his story seem accurate - having let you stay there for this long without collecting rent - than you will. So, if the judge pays attention to that, then it should be fine. In regards to a contract, you don't need anything in writing to rent. Technically, you're on a month-to-month tenancy. Now, like I said before, all of this is your word against his, so the only thing that matters is the story you tell when you get your chance to tell it, if it goes that far. Something that CAN help your case, however, is if you have any bank records showing withdrawls in the amount of the rent each month. You may not have it, but if you do, then you have a very loose attempt at a receipt that MAY be beneficial. Either way, best of luck to you and I hope it all works out for the better.

#1 rule of real estate: If it's not in writing, it didn't happen. You have no lease and are trespassing, technically. He can't sue you for rent, but he can evict you.

I signed a lease, and had a similar problem where they never fixed anything, so I up and left. If you never signed anything, a verbal agreement means nothing. They can take you to court. They will be called dumb by never having anything in writing. Plus, I would have asked for receipts, but if there is nothing stating you ever paid, then once again, there is no proof you were ever there. If you never changed your address on an id, that is great too! I on the other hand, they had my signature, but after looking at the laws, I had to be at least 21 to sign a lease (which I wasn't at the time) and they never photo copied my id! They had no proof to me being me, or someone else forging my name! They will lose if they take you to court. Personal friend or not. A friend would have fixed it. By law you cannot let water probelms go untouched when you own a building that someone else is renting... and you never signed a lease! Congrats!

yes you can it is a verbal contract even thought their was no signing of a lease you guys can to the agreement that rent will be paid month to month. you can get proof of the turn off of the heat and water from the utility company that should help but you should of keep your receipts. it is illegal for a landlord to turn off heat or water in any state . for a month that is outrageous

First, you are asking two different questions: Do I pay rent if there is no lease, and Do I pay rent if there is not heat. 1)-- no matter if you have a lease or not, you are paying for rent on a month to month basis. 2)-- IF there is not heat you are entitled to all or partial credit on your rent, as your landlord is obligated to give you a "safe and comfortable' living environment.

I don't know how the law works in your area, but where I am (NJ), if the landlord does not provide receipts for cash payments, he cannot take you to court for unpaid rent. You either provide receipts, or you give up your right to file for unpaid rent. If I were you, I would stop screwing around and hire a lawyer to write him a letter to stop his little extortion scheme. Did you give him written notice that you weren't paying until he fixed the gas? If you did and he didn't counter with a letter correcting you saying that you had never paid rent, no one will believe his claim.

he cant do squat

I think you have a strong case. He says you owe him 1500 dollars, you say you never lived in the house he says u lived....hehehe On a more serious note, he does not have any counter-foils as well to prove that u lived in the house, he does not have any contract to prove that u lived in the house. so basically he does not have any proof in the court saying u live there. You can say, u used to live there because it was an informal agreement and he never talked about money when u first moved in. or you can make one of your friend agree that u lived with him and never lived in the house your landlord says u lived.

You can always be sued, but you will probably win this one (depending on the judge).