My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Ohio
I have been living in my current apartment for about 7 months now, under the table. The people who lived here previously were friends and allowed me to move in and pay utilities but not rent. However, the landlord recently discovered that I am living here and is saying that I have to pay the 7 months of back rent. I have no qualms in paying rent for this (April) and upcoming months, however I never signed a lease when I moved in. As such, can he legally make me pay for the 7 months of back rent if I have never put my name on a lease? It's important to mention that nobody in the apartment has signed a lease but the grey area is that they have been paying rent while I have not and have been living here with the landlord unaware that I have been doing so. I know this most likely technically squatting and on that note, can he force eviction? He says that I have no tenant rights because I am not on a lease but then how can the rules of a tenant apply to me? Again, not one other person in the apartment has a signed lease.

