Do I have to give 4 weeks notice when leaving my current residence?

[fiacre68]

I moved into a house 3 weeks ago. Myself and a roommate live in the back 3 rooms of the house than the owner has cordoned off. We pay 1250 a month, 625 each. We just recently discovered (as in, last night) that we cant afford it anymore. Now, when we moved in, we did not sign nor see one single piece of paper work. No lease, no rental agreement, nothing. We want to move out within the week, because if we stay until November, we have to pay November's rent. So we want to move out by Halloween. But the owner insists we have to give her a 4 week notice if we want to move out. Meaning, she wants us to pay her November's rent. Whether we stay there or not, she wants November's rent, because SHE says we have to give her a 4 week notice and we're only giving her a week's notice. Is this a law or something? Remember, we didn't sign or see ANY PAPERWORK AT ALL.

[montgomery69]

The state law prevails. Some states require 15, some 30, and some 60 for a tenancy with no lease. If you had a lease it would state clearly what notice is required. Without a lease, it is whatever your state law requires. Look it up. Even so, there is not much she can do if you left other than keep your deposit.

[vanaken25]

NO, you do not have to give 4 weeks notice, you HAVE to Give 30 DAYS notice. You DO have to pay Novembers rent...YOU rented the place only 3 weeks ago and just last night DISCOVERED you can't afford it any more. Give me a break! Give written notice to this landlord now for to move at the end of November...you must give the notice on or before the last day of October to move at the end of November and not be responsible for Decembers rent.
The las applies even to people who do not bother to sign paperwork!

[juanito]

The lack of a written contract simply leaves you to be on a month-to-month tenancy. Per state law, you're required to give thirty days notice and pay through it. You did have a rental agreement- $1250/mo for the three rooms, and it was reaffirmed with your first rent payment, and you can be sued for the rent you're considering not paying. Where you live matters, as a few states require the landlord to prorate the month following notice- meaning if you give notice today, you'll only owe rent through November 22, while in other states you'd owe through November 30th.