Watched my old landlord turn a handshake agreement into a legal mess

Back in 2008 I rented a garage from a guy in Tucson just by shaking hands and paying cash every month, no paper involved. Fast forward to 2018 and he tried to sell the property without telling me, then claimed I had no proof I ever lived there when I fought the eviction. Why do people think a promise is enough until it actually gets tested in court?

3 comments

3 Comments

susan_ward1mo ago

Did you ever try to register that garage as a legal address with the DMV or utility company? That would have been your paper trail right there. Even a single piece of mail with his address on it could have bought you time in court. What made you trust a handshake for a full decade without ever asking for a simple receipt once?

taylor.phoenix29d ago

Oh man, I actually read this wild story about a guy who lost his house because the utility bills were in his roommate's name, not his. It's crazy how one piece of mail can make or break you in court.

noahclark29d ago

Yeah but @susan_ward, did he ever even let you alone in that garage long enough to snap a photo?