I rented a property for a year with no signed contract. The owners are chasing me to pay utility bills which are already paid and threatening me with small claims court.Can they do this, my name is on no bills or agreements at all?
by 
Anonymous
ANSWERS: 4
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Consult a lawyer who specializes in rights of tenants....your case seems particulary interesting. With no lease they could have you removed at any time.
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A verbal agreement is as binding as a written agreement, if both parties agree on what was said. If you verbally agreed to pay for the utilities when you moved in, then you must comply with your agreement. If you did not, they probably cannot force you to pay up now.
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A verbal agreement is NOT always binding. You need to check the laws of your state. In my state, a verbal agreement means squat!!!
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I am not clear on the facts. Are you saying that you have already lived there for a year, or you recently rented for a year? Also, you said the utilities were already paid. Does this mean you already paid them, or the landlord paid them? If there is no agreement to pay or not pay the utilities, but you used the utilities, you are responsible for the cost. However, if you lived there for a year already and was never asked to pay the bills, you have a possible defense.
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