Landlord changing status to section 8 without notice void lease?

Question

A] Here in Connecticut, if the Landlord suddenly and without prior notice now has his property listed as section 8, does that void the lease to the tenants that are already living in the townhouse?

B] If said Landlord has not bothered to have a new lease signed in ten years, is there even a lease to void?

Account Closed · Answer

Section 8 tenants is an option a landlord can use to rent a place and should no effect on other units just like some units can have a month to month lease or yearly one

Account Closed · Answer

the lease is only for a new tenant moving into another unit. Your lease is valid until the expiration

Liz Cresci · Answer

@Allan Buttrick I would say that you are very lucky, although, after the expiration of a lease in CT you are considered on a month-to-month as long as the Landlord keeps cashing your checks (thus an implied contract). I am not a lawyer but it sounds to me like you have no implied lease now that you have not been paying your rent.  If you had been paying the money into an "escrow" account you may be able to argue that you did, however, without a valid lease I doubt it.  So I would make plans to move.  I think the Landlord would have a hard time collecting from you (check that out with a lawyer don't quote me).

As far as Section 8 goes, in order to be able to rent to someone who utilizes Section 8  (a "lawful source of income"), Landlords must enroll their units in the Section 8 program. (See definition below of the Landlord obligations).  It sounds to me like they were able to enroll it in the program but have basically left it alone since.  I agree, call the police.  Perhaps even call the Shelton Housing Authority 203-924-2736 (Madlyn McGowan, Director) and file a complaint.

"Landlord's Obligations: The role of the landlord in the HCV program is to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing to a tenant at a reasonable rent. The dwelling unit must pass the program's Housing Quality Standards and be maintained up to those standards as long as the owner receives housing assistance payments. In addition, the landlord is expected to provide the services agreed to as part of the rental agreement signed with the tenant and the contract signed with the PHA."  (http://www.ct.gov/doh/cwp/view.asp?a=4513&Q=530586 )

My concern, however, would be that you have a child/children as you mentioned you were a single dad.  I'd probably take the money you saved from none payment of rent and find a more suitable place for you and your family.  Filing a complaint with could open a can of worms not only with the other tenants (as they stand to lose their Section 8 benefits), but also with the Landlord who stands to lose his guaranteed income or have to spend more $ bringing the property back up to the level it needs to be in order to be able to rent to Section 8 tenants.

OR you could put together a creative offer to purchase the property from the Landlord.  It sounds like he is looking for an easy solution to keeping his place rented and guarantee himself an income (from the State).  Perhaps he's done being an active Landlord.  If you are successful, you have certain rights if you are in an owner occupied multi-family (4 units or less).  You have to be fair and across the board with your rental requirements but there are ways you can guarantee a certain level of tenant.  Keep in mind just because the tenant utilizes Section 8 doesn't mean they are not upstanding citizens. I have known a few people who were professional, well put together, upstanding, people who were in a profession which in CT didn't allow them to afford a descent place to live.  You will want to check out the CT Fair Housing Laws (http://www.ct.gov/opapd/cwp/view.asp?a=1756&q=2772...).

The best part of that plan is that you can figure out how to "house hack" and have your tenants pay your mortgage and you can maintain the property the way you would like it to be.

Good luck ... remember you will probably want to check with a lawyer as to your specific rights.    (http://ctlawhelp.org/tenants-rights-general-inform...  scroll to bottom and there are some legal help contacts if you need them.)

Colleen F. · Answer

The thing to do when this happens is to try to get it fixed,  Call the police on the druggies.  If there is a problem with the condition of your apartment notify the landlord to fix.  If you can't work it out with the other tenant and can't tolerate give notice and move.  You have probably been on a month to month and now you are not paying for 8 months he should have sent a notice for pay or quit because of  non-payment and also filed for eviction. I would find a new place while there is still no eviction for non-payment on your record.  What are you waiting on?      Your security deposit is I would think gone already because you have not paid for 8 months.

Mat O'Grady · Answer

Just from my thoughts and experiences, I do not believe changing the status from a house that does not accept section 8 to one the does accept section 8 would have any affect on the prior leases.

As for the no new lease situation, most landlords have in their lease that after the year lease the lease is automatically changed to a month to month lease falling under the same rules as the year lease.

Again, I am not a lawyer, but it doesn't sound like there is anything wrong with what you said. Although, I would definitely look to sign a new lease every year.

Account Closed · Answer

If you didn't pay rent for 8 months and have not heard from your landlord I would say you are very lucky Your rights as a tenant might have been violated because of the dangerous  conditions in your building  ,but you should have or start documenting the incidents.Call police, go the the housing department, and send certified letters to the landlord . If you can move away it sounds like your best bet but give proper notice according to the laws in your state

Gail K. · Answer

" Eight months ago I stopped paying rent in protest. He has said nothing. It is impossible for me to live here. With no lease or agreement in ten years can he come after me for the back rent? I will gladly give up my 2 month security to leave now !!!"

Well, that's sure good of you considering you've been living there rent free for almost 3 quarters of a year.

Can your landlord come back after you for not paying rent all these months?  Sure.  Will he/she do this in a court?  Likely not.  Sounds like he's a lazy landlord.

By now you should have saved up enough money to find a safer place.  It would be a good idea to move and put this place behind you.

Gail

Steve Babiak · Answer

The state of CT does not allow for utilities to have a "foreign load" or "shared meter" as was described in one of the OP's posts; see link here:

http://ctlawhelp.org/energy-utility-problems-landl...

Allan Buttrick · Answer

In addition to the sect.8 status, I have also determined that all the front and rear stair lighting has been on my electric bill all these years. I am often not home here and wondered why my bill was high when only a fridge and alarm clock are on. A licensed electrician friend pulled the meter and everything went out!

Allan Buttrick · Answer

For ten years, I've lived here and everything has been pretty good. Landlord lived on first floor, I, a single dad live on the second, another single dad on the third. We even thought we could be a sit-com on TV, it was great. The Landlord moved out 5 yrs ago, third floor guy moved on also. Landlord 12months ago changed to sect.8 and I've nothing but problems living here. Drug deals in the driveway from tenants upstairs, fights in the driveway and the police are here about once a month. This is not  where I can live anymore. Eight months ago I stopped paying rent in protest. He has said nothing. It is impossible for me to live here. With no lease or agreement in ten years can he come after me for the back rent? I will gladly give up my 2 month security to leave now !!!

Landlord changing status to section 8 without notice void lease?

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