Boyfriend Moving Out...One Year Lease!

[CJordanA]

I moved 700 miles to live with my boyfriend when he graduated. We lived together for about a year, when my friend from back home decided to move to L.A as well. We found a two bd. place and signed a one year lease in May. Our friend's grandmother kindly agreed to co-sign for us. Now my boyfriend has decided to apply to a job is Washington, which would violate his lease and leave us in a very bad situation. The apartment is almost $2,000, which the two of us cannot afford alone. It's also only a two bedroom, and that would be hard for three people to live together when two of them aren't a couple. What are some of our options besides renting it out? Is he still financially responsible for the duration? (We told him to just give us $6,000-his portion for the rest of the year, and there would be no problem, but said no). This just leaves us (my friend, her grandmother and I) pretty stuck. Any ideas?

 

[Duranie]

you are still required to mitigate your damages and look for another roommate. I'm a little confused, who is living in the apt after the boyfriend leaves? Unles you have an open bedroom for this new person you are looking for, your living situation does not sound very desireable. If you cannot find a roommate you can sue him for a portion of the lease he owes.

 

[CJordanA]

My friend and I would stay at the apartment. We're both on the lease and do not have another place lined up. There are only two bedrooms, which like you said, is not desirable for a potential roommate. This is Los Angeles, and I have heard of people sharing rooms since rent is so high, but I think it would be considered less than great living circumstances. Would that help our case at all? So he IS responsible for his portion of the rent for the remainder of the lease?

 

[Duranie]

Probably not, but you can certainly sue him and ask him for the entire amount. You might win some judgement but then you have to go to lengths to collect on it if you win.

If you and your friend share a room, and advertise the other room to a prosepctive tenant, you might find someone. Other than that since since it was your boyfriend that moved out you can pay his portion of the rent and just sue him. I dont know of anyone that would want to share a room with someone they don't know.

You can try talking to the landlord and see if you could break your lease for a minimal fee and assist her in finding another tenant?