Summary
In New York, if youre not on the lease but live in an apartment, you may be considered an unofficial tenant. The landlord can serve an eviction notice, and you have 10 days to vacate before court proceedings. Even without signing a lease, unpaid rent could be sent to collections, affecting your credit. Landlords may gather tenant information through various means, but if they only have your name, the credit impact is less likely. FreeLawChat provides free legal information, but for specific advice, consulting a local attorney is recommended.Full Conversation
I currently am staying in an apartment in New York. I am not the lease holder I simply live here bc the leaseholder said he would pay rent.
Hello! It's important to understand your rights in this situation. Are you facing any issues with the leaseholder or the landlord?
And I now got a paper saying I’m getting evicted
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. In New York,
- You're considered an "unauthorized occupant" if you're not on the lease.
- The landlord can serve a notice to quit, which starts the eviction process.
- You have 10 days to leave before the landlord can go to court.
Please consult a local attorney for specific advice.
But why am I on this paper if I didn’t sign a lease
In New York, you may be considered an "unofficial tenant". This can occur if you live in a unit for an extended period without signing a lease. The landlord can evict unofficial tenants. Please consult a lawyer for more specific advice.
Will I still be penalized?
In New York, as an "unofficial tenant," you:
- May face eviction if the leaseholder stops paying rent.
- Could be held responsible for unpaid rent if you can't prove your agreement with the leaseholder.
- It's recommended to consult a local attorney for advice.
Will this go on my credit though since I’m not on the lease?
In general, evictions do not show up directly on credit reports unless they result in a judgment. However, unpaid rent could be sent to a collection agency, which may affect your credit. Always consult a local attorney for specifics.
It affects people who aren’t on the lease as well?
Yes, even if you're not on the lease, evictions can affect you. Here's why:
- You're considered an 'unofficial tenant'
- The eviction may not directly affect your credit, but unpaid rent can
- This can be sent to collections, impacting your credit
Consult a local attorney for specifics.
How if I only gave them my name I never gave them any other information
In New York, landlords often collect information through ways like mail or checks. Did you make any payments or receive any mail at this address? This might have led them to know your name.
They only know my name
Even though they only have your name, it's possible they obtained additional information from other sources. Do you recall providing any other details - even indirectly, such as through mail, checks, or third parties?
Nope
In New York, landlords can use various methods to obtain tenant information. However, if you've only given your name, it's less likely your credit will be affected. It's still advised to consult a local attorney to understand your specific situation better.
Is it free?
Yes, FreeLawChat provides legal information at no cost. However, for detailed legal advice specific to your case, you may need to consult a local attorney, which might involve fees.