lease documenting Dora's tenancy was entered into evidence as Ex 2. The lease reflects a rental
of $1123 for a one year period between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018.
Plaintiff had almost exclusive use of the Subject Premises. Plaintiff had his own bedroom,
and shared the common arrears in the remainder of the Subject Premises with Dora, [*2]who was almost never there. Dora testified that she was away from
the Subject Premises for extended periods because she works as a live in home
attendant.
Plaintiff initially paid a rent of $500 per month, and later the rent was increased to $550 per
month. Plaintiff made the rent payments to Nana. Plaintiff last paid rent for the Subject Premises
in June 2017.
Nana and Plaintiff are family friends and come from the same country originally. Plaintiff
testified that he and Nana moved into the Subject Premises together, and shared the apartment,
however, Nana did not continue to live in the Subject Premises, after Plaintiff moved in.
On December 14, 2016, Plaintiff saw that an eviction notice for nonpayment of rent had been
served on the Subject Premises. Nana assured Plaintiff that this was a mistake on the part of
management. On or about December 20, 2016, Plaintiff left the Subject Premises and traveled
outside of the country for approximately one month. Plaintiff left his room locked during this
period. When he returned he saw that his room had been broken into and that his air conditioner
and heater had been disconnected.
In late June or early July 2017, Plaintiff, Nana and Dora had a meeting in the living room of
the Subject Premises. Dora demanded that Plaintiff surrender his key to the Subject Premises and
he refused to do so. The next day Dora had a lock to the entrance door of the Subject Premises