Roommate on Lease Has Legal Issues, and Refuses to Pay

[Stebee83]

My question involves a roommate in the State of: Illinois

My brother and I moved in on May 1st. He is on the lease, he has refused to pay anything for the place, or anything in it claiming, thats not his responsibility. He is driving up the electricity bill as well as ordering movies on the satalite TV. Which stopped as I made a password so he can't access it.

The problem is, he refuses to pay. I talked to the leasing office, and they claimed there is nothing they can do about it, and its my responsibility to pay the rent, even if he doesn't. My brother also has other debt collectors coming around looking for him. Everything in that apartment is mine, the only thing that is his, is his bed.

Is there anything I can do? I have someone else that could move in, or if there was a way I could move out and in with him.

Thanks ahead of time, if you need more details let me know.

Stephen R.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Your bad choice of roommate is your problem, not your landlord's. He's not your tenant, so you can't evict him. You need to try to work things out with him.

If he owes you money, you can sue him in small claims court.