I'm really hoping that some of you could help shed some light on this very sticky situation.
A friend who is living with me signed a change of lease form for an
apartment, taking over the rental lease of the previous occupant. This was about a month ago. The previous occupant asked/demanded that he take over the lease even though she wanted to keep living there for another month. And he (my friend) agreed. There was no written agreement governing the "sublease" except that my friend managed to convince the previous occupant to write and sign a piece of paper saying she would pay for any damages to the apartment until he moved in. She also said in an email that it would be "safe for him to plan on moving in on November 1st at the latest." There are also three other uninvolved "roommates" whose names are also on the lease and who are continuing to live in the apt.
Fast forward one month. The previous occupant tells my friend via
email that she can't move out on Nov 1st as planned, giving him 5 days notice before Nov 1. He tells her that she better be moved out because he is planning on moving in on Nov 1st as agreed. What rights if any does he have to occupy the apt. beginning Nov 1st. What rules govern when there is no lease? What can he do to start taking control of the situation?
This is in Arlington County, VA.
Thanks in advance for any help/advice.

