All Forum Posts by: Joe W.

Message heard loud and clear. Sadly, we don't have enough money to relocate as it would cost us upwards of $4,000 to do so. We're barely able to scrape up the monthly rent + utilities what with vehicle payments, auto insurance, and monthly court judgments I'm paying off, etc., etc. - the usual cost of living. That might buy us more time but in the end it's pay up or be homeless. The landlord would have 30 days after we vacate the premises to return the $1,800 + 25+years interest, which would sure come in handy beforehand in helping us to relocate.

Thank you Jon for your insight. We certainly would never stay here beyond any court-ordered date to vacate. We've been paying market rent all along from $900 in 1986 to $1,650 in 2011. The underlying issue is very complicated and involves the landlord's volatile personal life, which is subject to change as the ongoing drama ensues. He planned to occupy the house in 2009 but was persuaded by others to renege. At this time we don't know if he even has a buyer in mind or if a relative of his is clamoring to buy the house. I will be consulting with attorneys in the area to see if we have a fighting chance here. At the very earliest, he could not file an eviction suit until June and if he wins, our days or months would then be numbered. We would gladly enter into a lease and pay a little higher rent so as to maintain our residency but he seems to be adamant in wanting to get his chunk of change and leave town (and the state) ASAP.

Thank you Mitch for your response. I hope to get more. You seem to be saying that we have barely more than a prayer and that that would be based on the condition of my wife's health. Yes, she can walk but has a brain disease and balance issues and falls down at times.

What we're specifically looking for is whether or not there are ever certain extenuating circumstances when a judge would not be overreaching his authority by ordering the landlord to restrict his sale only to someone who will continue to rent to us.

We have until March 31 to buy the house after which time the landlord says he will begin to take action if we do not contract with him. Under New Jersey law, he would then have to serve Notice to Quit and then wait two (2) months before filing a suit for eviction.

My wife and I began renting a one-family house in New Jersey in February 1986 and have paid rent every month without fail and have maintained our tenancy as model tenants without incident.

We had a one-year lease for the first year only after which time we never renewed and as such have been month-to-month tenants for over 24 years.

Now our landlord wishes to sell the house and evict us, and it's causing stress and anxiety every day.

I am here for information to learn if our landlord:

1) must by law sell it to someone who will continue to rent to us; or

2) will be able to force us out; or

3) if this is a case that could go either way.

New Jersey law states that one cause for an eviction action is when "the owner of a house or building with three or fewer apartments wants to move in or is selling the house or building to a buyer who wants to move in."

Would this then be automatic or does a judge have the authority to restrict a new owner from moving in, this based on certain facts presented at the trial, e.g. prospective owner already owns and lives in a house but wants to move here to be closer to relatives.

Landlord bought the house in 1985, renovated it, and immediately placed it in use as a rental home. We have been the only tenants.

Landlord took two (2) months security deposit when state law permits only 1 1/2 months. Moreover, we have good reason to believe that he has not left that deposit intact so therefore we would seek discovery to ascertain if that occurred.

My wife is now a senior citizen.

Please help us.