New roommate, new apartment, same complex, lots of issues!!!

[missmelissa33]

My jurisdiction is: California

Need help. Was on a lease with a girl I found on craigslist, that already occupied the apartment. Released her old roommate and I was added on to an existing lease. The lease was up in January, we have been on a month to month. I gave my 30 day notice almost 30 days ago, have signed a new lease that's already started with a new roommate in a new apartment in the same complex. However, the current roommate found a new roommate that did not qualify to be put on the new lease, so they are trying to tell me that I will not be released from that apartment until this happens. We are on a month to month, and I have given the complex and the roommate more than 30 days notice, am I stuck on both leases until she can find a suitable new roommate, if that's the case, she never will, and I will end up having to pay for 2 apartments. P.S. I paid my $500 deposit to the roommate, gave her proper notice and have a copy of the check that she deposited and everything. She has to pay this back to me within 21 days of me moving out correct? Thank you for any help!

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

Have you given this notice in writing?

http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/landlordbook/before-rent.shtml

Your roommate has to provide you NOTICE of the status of your deposit within the 21 day limit. This does not necessarily mean she has to automatically provide you with all of this money if you've left the unit with any damage above normal wear and tear.

Gail

 

[missmelissa33]

I did give the complex my 30 day notice in writing and the current roommate verbally. The complex I feel is freaking out because the person she was going to have move in waited until 2 weeks before and did not qualify, so now they are trying to scare me into paying or something. I thought I had done everything legally that I needed to and should be released from the current apartment soon. And the other lease in the new apartment has already begun, I'm basically on 2 leases, which happened because so many different people work there... Thank you for the reply, I'm sitting here chewing my nails off...

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

Since you provided written notification, you've done your part legally. Your roommate would be responsible for the entire amount of rent until she can find another roommate to help out. However, that is her responsibility, not yours.

Gail

 

[missmelissa33]

Thank you again for your help. Yesterday I officially moved out and have cleaned the apartment, well, my room and bathroom, now I just have to work on getting the deposit back from the roommate, she tried to tell me that the rental office owes me the deposit, but she forgot I wrote the check to her directly so that she could pay back the last persons deposit. And I have a copy of the check and that she cashed it in her account... Wish me luck with that