Rent reduction in return for work?

[mace]

My landlord offered a reduction of rent for work in her BARN with the horses and cleaning their stalls. Our rent is 500 a month. She is now trying to kick us out because she has a problem with me. She talks down to me and belittles me. She wanted to make me clean ALL the stalls and all the pens by myself. My husband was working on a fence which was not formerly agreed upon and she laid into me because she doesn't like my attitude towards her talking down to me and belittling me. She then started barking orders like she was my parent. Which she is not. We have gone above and beyond, in just the week and a half that we have lived here, the previously agreed upon conditions. In her ad on craigslist, she stated that she would wave the deposit in exchange for cleaning the house. We did that. It took us 3 days. After we signed the lease she said that she wanted a 200 dollar deposit. I am not sure as to whether this was in the lease or not as she has not provided us with a copy of the lease on paper, nor our keys to the house. She also says that repairs to the house are to come out of our pockets with no compensation. She claims this is part of the deposit reduction... but we cleaned the house that was already supposed to be cleaned before we moved in. Now she wants to come in and inspect the house which was supposed to have been done before we moved in... what do I do? What can I do?

We live in the state of idaho. She wants to evict but our rent is paid up until the 5th. Does she have the right to serve a 3 day eviction notice herself or does she have to have the olice do it? Does she even have that right? Or is it the normal 30 day process? Someone please help. I need good sound solid advice. Referrences would be a big help! Thanks so much for reading! We have no money to move again so soon and our daughter is in jeopardy here too.

[christos]

Why would anyone take such an ad seriously to actually accept the "offer"? I would just leave

[sherborne16]

Why would anyone take such an ad seriously to actually accept the "offer"? I would just leave

She can give you a 3 day notice, but that just starts the process. The 3 day notice says that if you don't correct whatever she claims, such as unpaid rent, then she will be able to file court papers to have you evicted. You would have a chance to tell your side at that point.

[adelphos]

I think you learned a valuable lesson here. NEVER get involved in a agreement without getting it in writing.
Make sure to save a copy of the ad on craigslist.

[ned]

Keep this in mind for the future- you don't get a "copy" of the signed lease, you and your landlord each go over a copy of the lease, -initial and sign both- preferably at the same time, so that you both have original initials and signatures from the get-go. You're legally entitled to a copy of the lease, but it's pretty ridiculous that you don't know what was in what you signed. Next time, read it slowly.

You have a signed contract, and anything in writing trumps any agreed verbally. She can serve you the pay or quit, and you can let it expire while doing nothing. If she takes you to court for the eviction, attend the hearing and state your case. If she wants to inspect the house, she can only do so after she's provided you the notice required by your state's law.

In any case, get yourself out of this and into a unit with a legitimate landlord.

[curney13]

I am sorry for your situation. I have had bad landlords too, even losing friends over it.

I would suggest you talk to an actual lawyer, it may not cost anything just to talk to them over the phone. But they actually KNOW the law.

I know in this economy, we look for cheap housing and discounts, etc. Just use your sense of caution, and though I have found a good roommate situation on Craigslist, it is notorious for scammers, so be careful.