CanI be evicted when the landlord only owns half of the house and the other is a trust?
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CanI be evicted when the landlord only owns half of the house and the other is a trust?
I live in NY in the third floor of my grandmother’s home, never paid rent. She died 8 months ago, and my aunt owns half the house. Currently she is contesting the Will so everything is still in probate. She sent me a 7 day notice to quit. Can she legally do that since the house is technically only half hers and half of my grandmother’s estate?
Asked on September 13, 2011 under Real Estate Law, New York
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
If you have a written lease for the third floor of your grandmother's home, read it in that its terms and conditions control the obligations owed to you and vice versa in the absence of conflicitng state law.
Are you a beneficiary under your grandmother's will where you might end up owning a piece of the home? Are there any other relatives other than your aunt who will end up receiving a fractionalized share of the home in the probate of the will? If so, you need to receive some documentation from them stating that you can remain in the rental.
Most importantly, try and obtain documentation from the executor of the will of your grandmother allowing your continued stay in the unit. If you receive this, you can disregard the notice sent by your aubt to quit because other "owners" or a representative of the estate would have allowed you to remain.
An empty unit poses problems as far as fire, vermin, break in and the like. It is always best to have a rental occupied.
Good luck.
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