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Problems With Roommate's Co-Leasing Dad, Attempting To Move Out In New Mexico

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  • 05-29-2008, 10:57 PM
    spam10123
    Problems With Roommate's Co-Leasing Dad, Attempting To Move Out In New Mexico
    Me and my friend (both 19 years old) decided to rent an apartment together in New Mexico March 2008 for $900 and utilities, both being split between us. Being as neither of us had any source of income, my mom and her father co-signed (or would it be that they became co-leasers?) for us.

    However, my friend's father became increasingly controlling towards us. In a separate, verbal agreement not concerning the lease, both him and my mother agreed that he would be paying for all of the internet and cable charges as well as the first month of June (since April was given to us for free, and it was his initial decision to get the apartment before my family was ready), and my mother wouldn't be responsible for this. This agreement was made due to the fact that my friend's father basically chose which apartment me and my friend would live in, too expensive for my family if this agreement would not have been made, and also extremely far from where I attend school; if it had not been for this agreement, I would not have been living with her, and I believe this was the only way my friend would have been able to get a roommate with her father's strict decisions (he even made me and my friend a book of rules for the apartment - a list of about 40 rules!).

    Soon enough, my friend's father began demanding money for the internet and cable, defiantly going against his word. My mother also paid for June's rent out of forgetfulness, but since it was on her for forgetting, my mother decided not to say anything about it. Not only this, my friend's father is extremely harsh and abrasive to my mother, demeaning her for her "parenting style" since she lives 3 hours away with my father and 14 year old brother and cannot be here to help me all the time. He also insisted on buying all the furniture for the apartment (excluding my room) including a 47-inch television, all without asking to see if my family would like to contribute anything.

    As a result, the atmosphere of the apartment is very uncomfortable. I feel as if I'm walking on eggshells all the time, and my friend's father doesn't seem to think twice about coming over to the apartment for hours at a time, even when his daughter is not there. I'm tired of being scrutinized and blamed for things that happen at the apartment (his daughter always denies the things she does so i'm constantly getting phone calls from her father about finding beer in the pantry, a 2 A.M. phone call, etc.) and my mother is becoming very stressed with the whole outcome of this endeavor.

    Our only solution at this point is for me to move out, for our best interests. I know we will be breaking the lease which involves a fee of $1800 along with a 30 day notice, which will be given. My mother also informed my friend's father, who then instantaneously stated that he would be taking us to court in order to get us to pay our half of the $900 we usually owe for rent every month. Is this appropriate? I recall everyone only signing the lease; there were no roommate agreements, etc. that were signed, only verbal agreements taking place. What is my family to do? we cannot stay; it's just not possible, and we really can't afford a lawyer. My parents are already paying enough to get me to move out for the sake of my privacy and sanity... we're just lost. Any help or information would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the length.
  • 05-31-2008, 05:21 AM
    Mr. Knowitall
    Re: Problems With Roommate's Co-Leasing Dad, Attempting To Move Out In New Mexico
    If the lease is broken, such that both you and your roommate are released from the lease, that should end any further obligation. From what you have said you have a contract with your landlord, not your roommate's daddy.

    That doesn't mean he won't sue you, though, and I never make promises about what a small claims court will do (because I've seen too many bad rulings over the years).
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