Small Claims (Verbal Agreement)

[arpabad]

Hello,

Last month I made a verbal agreement with a house owner to rent her house for $850 a month. We had a verbal agreement somethime end of June or first week of July. that I would move in the middle of the month and only pay for half the rent($425). She game me the key agreeing I can move in July 15th. But something came up and I couldn't afford to move in and told on July 14th her that I wouldn't move in anymore. She's really angry and said she was going to sue me in a small claims court if i didn't pay her the half month's rent. I'm really in financial strain right now. She won't agree to accept any payment arrangement. What can I do? Is there a way I can win this case?

 

[Duranie]

You broke a verbal agreement, so now she has nobody to move in. You probably are on the hook for a half months rent. A verbal contract is not any less enforceable than a writren one. If you admit you broke the verbal contract, then yes you owe her the money. If she sues you she has a good chance of winning and you will have a judgement on your credit. You might want to pay her back the half months rent since you did break the verbal agreement.

 

[beta]

I agree. You can take the chance in court 50/50. If you lose you will have a black mark on your credit for many years to come. Decision is yours.