Breaking a lease with a roommate - MI

[Whisperer]

I moved into my townhouse in December with a guy I was dating and have since broken off our relationship. since then, he has been terrorizing me and I want to break our lease. He doesn't want to leave and says he cant find someone to sublease and take over my part of the lease. I think he wantsto keep me there because he is controlling and wants to make my life a living nightmare. I would find someone but he has to agree to that person iving there per our lease. He won't move out and won't let me move out. What is my best course of action to get out of there? My roommate has to sign my 30 day notice to terminate but won't because he would have to move out too.

 

[Michael Wechsler]

One problem is that you're on the hook for the lease with the landlord if you've all signed the lease, irrespective of your relationship with your ex. If you get another roommate to replace you who doesn't pay the rent, you're still on the hook. Have you tried to present a reasonable tenant to your ex? Otherwise, perhaps you should bring it up to the landlord, present a reasonable tenant but you'll probably be on the hook in case of default. Good luck.

 

[Whisperer]

I have talked to my roommate about a subleaser and he says he is ok with it but the only people who are acceptable to him are people he already knows, that he would be willing to live with, and who can afford it. My landlord doesn't care who it is as long as they pass the credit check. I have to give a 30 day notice and pay the fees but my roommate has to sign the 30 day notice as well and he won't because he will either have to agree to live with the person I present, pay for the whole place himself or move out. None of which he is willing to do since I won't be there to terrorize. I am fine with getting evicted and have talked to my lanlord about it but he is very unsympathetic with it. I have suggested being kicked out for noise complaints and he said he would just fine us. i play to not pay my rent for May but I think my roommate will pay it and then sue me for it. I know he plans to sue me for the utilities because I told him to cancel them all since I am never there. Why would I pay for them when I don't care if they are on? Do you think he will have recourse for those? What is the best way to get evicted quickly? Do you think a civil suit would do any good if I have proof he has been harassing me? I am also married but have filed for divorce some months ago but have yet to finalize. Is there some loophole with that if my husband and I reconcile?

 

[presutin]

Q: I know he plans to sue me for the utilities because I told him to cancel them all since I am never there. Why would I pay for them when I don't care if they are on?
A: Because you have signed a lease agreeing to pay for regular expenses one incurs whether you are always there or not.

Q: Do you think a civil suit would do any good if I have proof he has been harassing me?
A: If he has been harrassing you, why file a suit against him just now? Why didn't you do that before?

Q:I have talked to my roommate about a subleaser and he says he is ok with it but the only people who are acceptable to him are people he already knows, that he would be willing to live with, and who can afford it.
A: You need a person who can serve as a mediator to resolve this issue. See if there are pro bono attorneys in your area who deal with landlord/tenant issues and provide mediation services. Good Luck!