Lots of Roommate Concerns

[tbcolby]

My roommate decided that she would is leaving. She is a co-signor on the lease. I have the following concerns:

#1 - I paid 100% of the security deposit. Am I able to claim 100% of the security deposit

#2 - She purchased a dog (was not house trained) and it has ruined the carpet. Can I hold her legally responsible?

#3 - Regarding the dog, she never notified my landlord, and has not paid the security deposit. Can I force her to pay the security deposit in order to "pad" the amount that will most likely be due because of the carpet damage?

#4 - When she moves, am I allowed to hold her financially responsible for her half of the rent? Of utilities?

#5 - At my roommates previous apartment, I was paying a portion of her rent to help her along, but was not a leaseholder. I know this one is a long shot, but can I reclaim this money as well?

#6 - I have paid her cell phone (although in my name) for the past 14 months (she has paid me once). Am I able to reclaim this money?

#7 - If she moves, and refuses to pay, will I be evicted? If I am evicted, will this negatively affect my credit score? If so, what is the legal recourse?

I think these are all the questions that I have. I want to make these next few weeks as professional and legally clean as possible, so I have purchased a digital voice recorder, and notified her that I will be taping all conversations. I have also archived all electronic forms of communication, including e-mails and text messages. Is there anything else I should be doing? What rights does she have to escape payments?

 

[presutin]

This is not legal advice, consult your with your attorney in the state you live at.

My roommate decided that she would is leaving. She is a co-signor on the lease. I have the following concerns:

#1 - I paid 100% of the security deposit. Am I able to claim 100% of the security deposit - no

#2 - She purchased a dog (was not house trained) and it has ruined the carpet. Can I hold her legally responsible? You are both legally responsible for damages to the property since you are both co-signors.

#3 - Regarding the dog, she never notified my landlord, and has not paid the security deposit. Can I force her to pay the security deposit in order to "pad" the amount that will most likely be due because of the carpet damage? Force - no; ask her to do it, yes. Again, it comes down to the co-signing responsibility.

#4 - When she moves, am I allowed to hold her financially responsible for her half of the rent? Of utilities? If it is stated on the lease agreement between you and her, yes.

#5 - At my roommates previous apartment, I was paying a portion of her rent to help her along, but was not a leaseholder. I know this one is a long shot, but can I reclaim this money as well? No

#6 - I have paid her cell phone (although in my name) for the past 14 months (she has paid me once). Am I able to reclaim this money? If you can show that she paid you once, that can be a long shot.

#7 - If she moves, and refuses to pay, will I be evicted? If I am evicted, will this negatively affect my credit score? If so, what is the legal recourse? Yes to all - and to the last question, you can sue your roommate in small court.

I think these are all the questions that I have. I want to make these next few weeks as professional and legally clean as possible, so I have purchased a digital voice recorder, and notified her that I will be taping all conversations. I have also archived all electronic forms of communication, including e-mails and text messages. Is there anything else I should be doing? What rights does she have to escape payments? Recording conversations in some states is illegal. Make sure you research that in detail; small claims court is where you will probably end up if you cannot get her to voluntarily pay for her share of expenses incurred during the tenancy. Good Luck!

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[tbcolby]

thank you..... One last question-can I pursue rent for months she lived there before she began paying if she did not pay?

 

[presutin]

See answer to question number 5. Good luck!