conversation: User (joshbeck): "I live in a house. All the utility bills are in my name, and I mail the rent check to the landlord every month. There is no lease or any paperwork between the landlord and me. It's a very casual month-to-month sort of honor system. As long as he gets his rent check every month he's happy, so you can see it's already an unusual living situation, but I'm not complaining.\n\nRecently he called to tell me that the rent on the house will be going down a few hundred dollars. He cited "tax reasons" but didn't go into detail. I didn't ask for more details because obviously this seems good for me... But should I be worried about anything? Does this sound fishy? Am I liable if he's doing anything shady?\n\nI happen to know he is a lawyer and owns several properties in the neighborhood, but I've only met him in person 2 or 3 times."
  Self: "Is it possible he wants to avoid the Net Investment Income tax so he's just looking for ways to lower his income for awhile?"
  NardDogNailedIt (NardDogNailedIt): "Could be challenging the assessment. Could be going through a divorce. Who knows. Definitely should get the new rent in writing though."
  TheVog (TheVog): "&gt; get the new rent in writing\n\n /thread"
  Satoyama_Will (Satoyama_Will): "so many of the posts on here about renting don't involve a lease. it's crazy to me. "
  TheGreatestIan (TheGreatestIan): "I can understand not doing so with someone you care about and know *really* well, I don't have one with my long-term girlfriend.  But, if I/we were to move into a place, a lease would be a requirement."
  Satoyama_Will (Satoyama_Will): "I usually don't do leases with someone I sleep with. But unless OP is doing some interesting things, I don't see that kind of relationship here!"
  