condo owner nightmare

Hi All, I found the advertisement in one of the websites for a room in a condo for rent. I looked at the place, I liked it and I rented the place. My room mate(owner of the condo) told me that he dont want to show it as a taxed income and hence he dont want to do a lease but he gave me a verbal agreement of rent 650/month and deposit of one month. Every month, I am paying him rent on a check and clearly mentioning it in the note : Rent for ..... In a couple of months after I moved in, He turned off the heat and home goes down to freezing. Also he is worried about little things like, if I opened a window blind he would snap at me. I aways pay him rent on day 1 of the month and always try to be nice to him. He is like a bipolar person, some times he is very friendly and some time he snaps. Once I turned the heat "ON" and he threatened me to call 911 for that and tell them that I have broken into his house. I am looking for a place to move soon. I have paid this guy a rent of 4 months and deposit. I would like to complain about this some authority. Can you suggest what can I do??Help please

[OHlandlord]

A lack of heat can be complanined about to the health department or the city's building inspector. Many cities have minimum heat requirements, the roommate (your LL) may be breaking those laws by providing no heat. In your rented area (room) you may do as you like - open blinds, run a space heater, etc. Do you currently have mail coming to the unit addressed to you? That alone can be used to show the police (if they were called) that you are a resident there. Additionally, you have your check register (and can get copies of the cancelled checks) to prove it.

Personally, I would give written notice that you are moving and move out. Please list the state you are in and I can give you the notice period you are required to give him by state law. (Keep a copy of this notice.) When you leave, give him written, dated notice of your forwarding address and cite in the letter that you would like your security deposit of $xxxxx given to him on xx/xx/xx date returned to you at this address. Keep a copy of this notice in case he forgets to return it to you.