Help, landlord problems!

[Anisah_H]

I hope this is the right forum, it's not about credit or debt but need some help on landlord tenant laws in NJ.

I'm renting a room in someone's condo. The health department found out about some water leakage issues in the bathroom, and notified my landlord he had to fix them (He's not living in the condo). He got mad at me, says water never leaked until I got here (but there's years of water damage, and I've only been here a month). The downstairs neighbor also complained because of the noise of us walking around. I have 3 kids, and you cannot keep kids still! The youngest is 19 lbs, and she complains when he runs around!

Today he told me I had 7 days to leave, then he would change the locks. I know that's illegal. But I'm wondering if I could get into trouble with the city because my 3 children and I are sharing one room. I don't know if he pretends to think he can just change the locks to scare me into leaving, or if he really thinks so! I just talked to the health department to get info, found out this is considered a rooming house, and they are illegal in this township! The zoning office is closed until Monday, so I can't get any information until then. I know the landlord can't throw me out without a judge's order, but can the city do it? He also is hinting that my kids can be taken away if I'm still here after 7 days (cause of so many of us in one room). I called legal aid, but no lawyer was available today and I'm freaked out.

Would him threatening to illegally evict me be considered harassment?

Thanks a lot.

Anisah in NJ

[admin]

Have you looked up your state's statutes? It should spell out clearly what procedure needs to be followed.

http://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll?clientID=33278430&Depth=4&TD=WRAP&advquery=landlord%20tenant&headingswithhits=on&infobase=statutes.nfo&rank=&record={4E4}&softpage=Doc_Frame_Pg42&wordsaroundhits=2&x=21&y=10&zz=

[Anisah_H]

I know what the procedures SHOULD be, but sounds like he doesn't care about the law! I think he's so mad at me because he knows that renting rooms in our township is illegal, and he didn't want to get caught. He may try to retaliate (he blames me for the problems), which he hinted to me about me possibly losing my children. But what I don't know is if the city can evict me, not only because of 4 people in the room, but also because of illegal renting of rooms. Am I in trouble, or just him? Thank God he has another house, because I am so angry at him. He seemed so nice before!

Thanks.

[Paladin_Roden]

Well if he does change the locks on you, call the police. He needs to have a legal eviction on you for him to actually keep you from your home. Every time he changes the locks call the cops. The cops more then likely won't say anything about your kids, and if they do it doesn't mean much because they can't hall you off to jail for it. I would suggest that you look into finding another place, having an active water leak in your home is a health hazard for your children. If Child Protective Services comes knocks on your door asking about the children living with you, just tell them that two of them live with a relative (mother, brother, sister, dad, childrens dad). I say you have about 30 days before he gets a ruling from a judge to evict you. In that time start looking and call in some favors from friends, or use the support system of your family if you can. Hope things work out You may have a legitmate defense against this guy, but you won't be able to show that to a judge until after all the damage this land lord is about to do when he throws you out.