Does my landlord have grounds to evict me?

Question

I am currently renting a room in East Harlem in New York City. I moved into the room on July 18th, 2008 (paid half month rent on July 16th), then August's rent on the 25th of July. The building is above an internet cafe and only has 2 apartments in the building; the landlord's and my roommates/mine. Yesterday I received a call from my roommate claiming that she had complained about my having 2 guests in my apartment, simply because one of them had been sitting on the staircase for 5 minutes (by the internet cafe, not within the grounds of the apt building), and one of them had gone in/out of the building a couple of times after 12pm in the afternoon. My roommate has lived here for 6 years, but hasn't had a lease for the past 2 years. I was informed by my roommate that the landlord wants me out of the apartment by September 4th (she didnt even speak to me). Does she have grounds to unofficially evict me? Also, isn't there a specific time frame that she has to give me to leave the apartment? What should I do?

Answer 1

Move out. Why would you wanna live near an internet caffee? you'll just get cancer or infertility or an eating dissorder or something like that any way from all the wifi.

Answer 2

In past experience all tenets of the apartment must be listed on the lease.  I would have the lease edited if possible.

But read all the fine print to ensure that you are or are not in violation.

Answer 3

No, these people are not spending the night there.  Your roommate should mind his/her business and you should say so, like "if the landlord has something to say to me than the landlord needs to speak to me and only me, mind your own business please".  The landlord needs to speak with you and give you a 30 day written notice.  If you do not get that and you get thrown out then you can fight the eviction legally.  

Answer 4

Without a lease she must give 30 days written notice. If you resist she might evict both of you.

Answer 5

Your situation is governed by state and local law. You may live in a NYC rent control district, too, so restrictions on your landlord are very explicit.

Hop on down to that internet cafe and drop a dime. Google New York City + "tenant rights". Learn your rights!

I think your roommate is the one who wants you to go. A landlord would have told you herself. Why does the roommate want you to go? Because of your shiftless friends hanging around the place. It's not kosher to have your friends hang ALL THE TIME. Send them packing!