Roommate Moved Out with One Week Notice and No Rent Paid - What Are My Rights
My question involves a roommate in the State of: California
I had a roommate move into my spare room mid January. She is verified as a resident in my apartment at the leasing office, but only my name is on the lease. She was more than a week late in every rent payment she made to me. That was for February, March, & has no intention of paying for the month of April. After disappearing for four days w/o discussing her rent with me, she came back & by the next day she notified me via text message on April 9th that she would be moving out on April 15th & would pay me half the month's rent ($350). She would also owe a late fee of $25. I was stupid enough to add her cable to the internet service I already had when she moved in. She is supposed to pay me for her cable plan & i do not own or watch television. She would owe me about $350+ for the last billing cycle as well as the upcoming bill. She said she would give me the money on the 14th & never heard anything about it after that. I came home last night (April 17th) & she had moved everything out. She also went as far as to take my silverwear and few other minor things. She left me no money & will not contact me back. I don't know if I can do anything because my name is attached to everything & she's not on the lease... she's just a resident on record. She also left the room a disaster. The walls have been damaged & the carpet is incredibly stained. I never took a deposit from her, but she left my apartment in horrible condition.
Do I even have a case??? I don't know where she moved to, but she's has 3 dui's & i'm pretty sure she's a felon. I could probably figure out where she is. Would I have to find her address to serve her? Please help me... I've been screwed like this more than once.
Re: Roommate Moved Out with One Week Notice and No Rent Paid - What Are My Rights
If your roommate owes you money when she moves out and will not pay, you may sue her in small claims court.