Rebellious Roommate

[leciaw220]

Please help me. I am a roomate with 2 other people. All of our names are on the lease. The problem is that one of my roomates has returned to a life of using drugs & therefore has not lived up to any of the agreements that she (we) made when we decided to get this apartment. We have been living here since July 13, 2007. She hasn't paid any rent since August, 2007. She has not paid her share of any of the bills (utilities, etc.) since August, 2007. She was coming and going as she pleased knowing that legally we couldn't do anything to her because her name is on the lease. It's now been almost a month since she has been here. Her car got repossed & I believe that she is staying in Baltimore because it's where she has to be to get the drug that she uses.
I have spoken to the landlord several times & all that they will tell me is that until she comes in to the office & takes her name off of the lease, there is nothing that we can do. I also called the police on her the last time that she was here & told them that she had drugs in her room & they couldn't do anything about it because she has to give them permission to go into her room & they told me that I could have gotten arrested because I entered her room. I feel like the room should be mine (myself & my other roomate) because we are paying rent for the entire apartment.
Anyway, is there anything that we can do. Is there any type of abandonment law? Please help me.
Also, I'm worried about her coming in here whenever she wants & stealing from me because legally we cannot change the locks...

 

[calalily]

Read the fine print in your lease. Look up Landlord Tenent laws for your state and see if you have any options there. Also, file a small claims suit against her (you and your other roommate) for monies owed.

 

[mafioso]

To add to what Calalily said, you might want to inform the cops if you see drugs around the apt. You could get into serious trouble and ruin your career or have a criminal record if the cops raid the place one day. Know every good citizen is expected to report a crime or express concerns to the cops if you are worried someone is violating the law. You could be charged as an accomplice if the cops raid the place. I have seen many people get into trouble for minding their business in such situations.