Roommate Hasn't Paid Rent and Now Says He is Moving Out
My question involves a roommate in the State of: Texas
Here is the situation: I have a new roommates. I am the only one who has a lease with my landlord (who is my parents). I brought in two friends who we all agreed to pay a certain amount for each month with included rent and utilities. There were about 7 people around hearing this verbal agreement. Including the landlords and the other roommates.
He paid me half of last month's rent, but said his mother was sending the rest of the money from germany so he could pay for the rest. And it has been a cat and mouse game since then. So I had to cover his part of the rent and utilities for this whole month and half of last month.
After haggling him for a couple weeks, He sent me a text message last week saying that he can't afford it and will be moving out but will pay me for the rent he owes me.
I text him last night and he says that he doesn't know when he will pay me. Most of his stuff is still in his room. I don't see him except for maybe once every two weeks.
I need the money that he owes me and I want him out so I can find a new roommate.
What exactly do I need to do. How much eviction notice, if I have to get him one. Can I leave the eviction notice on his door? And I am guessing then sue in small claims court for what he owes me?
Can I do both at the same time? Thanks for any help!
Re: Roommate Hasn't Paid Rent and Now Says He is Moving Out
The eviction notice, from the tenant's perspective, is summarized here. You can serve a three day notice, which you can probably get from the county court or an office supply store.
Re: Roommate Hasn't Paid Rent and Now Says He is Moving Out
Serve him with an eviction notice first. He will then have 3 days to Pay or Quit.
If he doesn't pay everything he owes in that three day period, you have to file an eviction with the court to get him out. Once you are awarded that, he will have a few more days to get his things. Yes, you can sue him for the back rent, but if he doesn't have the money, it's just going to be a pain in your neck and probably not worth pursuing.