If I moved out of an apartment but my roommate stayed, can I now be held responsible for unpaid rent?
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If I moved out of an apartment but my roommate stayed, can I now be held responsible for unpaid rent?
I leased an apartment 3 years ago with a roommate. At the end of my lease I notified management (30 days) that I would be moving. My roommate opted to stay. Now they have contacted me for unpaid rent for the apartment. Am I liable?
Asked on January 7, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Michigan
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Good question. When you terminated your lease three (3) years ago, were you on a month to month basis or was there a term of months still remaining on the lease? If there was a term of months remaining on your contractual obligation, did you pay your share of the lease that you ended unilaterally for this time period? If not, then there is a good likelihood that you are obligated for your share of the lease that you did not pay on.
The only exception would be if the landlord signed a written document stating that you were not liable for the balance of the lease or your room was rented out and the person occupying it for the balance of your lease actually made payments to the landlord during the balance of the time you were obligated upon it in the amount that you were to pay.
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