Residing with a roommate decreases your rental costs and can be fun. However, things could take a turn if he or she decides to move out early. Anyone who’s ever lived with a roommate knows that there are good and bad times. Ultimately, roommates move on, whether they’ve gotten married or graduated.
As long as your name is on the agreement, your landlord can expect you to pay 100% of the rent even if you cannot afford it in the absence of your roommate. Irrespective of the situation, you’ll need to think about the way forward. Here are a few things you can do in such a situation.
Make it Official
If your roommate moves, the first thing you should do is get him or her off the lease. Leaving your roommate on the lease might appear like a good idea because it holds her or him responsible for the rent even after moving out.
In case of a default, the landlord will go after whoever’s available. If you are still residing there, that will most likely be you. Consequently, maintaining your previous roommate on the agreement won’t help.
Remember, your friend is legally entitled to reside in the rental even as long as their name is on the lease. When you contact the landlord about modifying the lease, you might need the previous roommate’s cooperation. Keep in mind that most landlords won’t take off another person’s name from an agreement without their consent.
Review the Rental Agreement
If you have a co-tenant on the lease, your landlord might decide to evict you once your roommate leaves. That’s because when one of the co-tenants moves, you’ve technically broken your rental agreement. Nevertheless, if you’ve been a good renter, that probably won’t happen. You know you’ve been a good renter if you’ve been making timely rental payments without any complaints against you.
You’ll also avoid a possible eviction if you’ve been nondestructive and respectful of the rental. In this instance, you have the option of signing a new agreement, either with a new roommate or on your own. Ensure you can afford to make the rent on your own and be in a position to prove it.
On the other hand, if you’ve been troublesome, your landlord might view this as the ideal moment to get rid of you legally.
Examine the Type of Lease
If you have a monthly lease, you have some leeway concerning how to proceed. In this instance, your roommate is still liable for their share of rental payment throughout the end of the agreement even if he or she hasn’t informed the landlord.
A fixed-term, however, makes things somewhat complex. Technically, your roommate is violating the rental agreement. By moving early, the landlord has the right to evict everyone in the rental. Bear in mind that your landlord will probably be wondering whether you can continue making the rent.
If you reside in a costly area in a major city, a roommate could make the difference. Chances are you had to offer some kind of information regarding your credit history or salary when you moved into the unit, so the landlord probably knows whether you’re in a position to cover the rent without a roommate.
Final Thoughts
A roommate leaving before the lease is up could make things awkward, but it doesn’t have to be the case. You can adopt these measures to handle the situation effectively.
For more information on what to do if your roommate leaves suddenly, contact us at Apartment Agents or leave a message.
