Roommate Attacked Me, I Moved Out, He's Suing Me

[bo324]

My question involves a roommate in the State of: California

My roommate is a jerk. He thinks he's a UFC contender. He attacked me a few months ago because I was putting a lock on my bedroom and the hall bathroom door. He liked to smoke weed all day and dump the bong water in my shower and urinate on the toliet seat. He has his own bathroom but he liked using the hall bathroom. We argued about this several times. When I was putting the locks on - he demanded they be removed, I said "no" - he punched me in the face and kept punching me on the floor. I didn't punch him back, he ran off, I called the police and made the report, they came back and I moved out. I got a temporary restraining order to keep him off my back. Now he's suing me for the 3 months of rent I didn't pay before the lease was up. My court date is next week. What can I do to not have to pay up?

[LawResearcherMissy]

What can I do to not have to pay up?

Nothing.

You signed a binding contract. Your landlord doesn't care that your roommate is a violent druggie, it has no bearing on your lease contract. Pay your rent.

[aardvarc]

You could have gotten an order that made HIM leave, and then sued HIM for the 3 months of rent.