Subleasor vs. the Other Tenant

My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Baltimore City, MD


Three people (Alan, Bart, and Chase) moved into the residence on 02/15/10 by signing a one year lease. Alan took a new job in Florida, with no intentions of returning to Maryland anytime soon, so he subleased his room to me for the same price that he was paying. His name is still on the original lease and his security deposit is still in the property owner’s possession. There is no written contract between Alan and I and we have not spoken since the agreement was reached. On October 15, 2010, I moved in and started paying rent directly to the landlord.

Now that the lease is month-to-month, Chase wants to move out. When Chase moves, I’d like to move into his room and have the new roommate take my room. Bart claims that since he is the only person whose name is on the lease that still lives in the house, that he can pick both the new roommate and allow the new roommate to Chase’s room instead of me.

Does Bart have the right to do this? Is it Chase that decides who assumes his lease and takes his bedroom? Do I have any rights since I have been paying the landlord directly? How would this entire situation change if Chase said that he was moving out and wanted his name off of the lease?

If you want to move out, give notice and move out.

From what you've told us, you're a subtenant and the original tenants are your landlord. So if you want to change rooms, you need to work with them.