My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: New Jersey
Verbal agreement with friend:
- Free Rent long during period of license suspension in return for ride to work. However, 1/2 of utilities must be paid.
- After a month, friend asked for cable TV and agreed to pay for it.
- 5 months later i got license back as scheduled (end of free rent). Roommate stayed for another 7 months (i did remind free rent ended during this period, never directly set level).
- During duration utility bills were posted in common area (kitchen)
- Another roommate moved in for $650 a month, other roommate was aware he was paying this.
- On at least one occasion, it was explained to the first roommate that free rent ended per agreement.
Total bill came out to ~$4,000 including TV, Utilities. Rent was reduced from the $650 to a lower level with explanation of appreciation for moving in and not damaging the house. A bill was delivered (tabulated in excel) along with copies of utility and cable bills.
Question:
New Jersey limits small claims to $3,000. Can i take each line item as a separate "case" as they were different agreements? Well.. really combine the rent/utilities under one agreement and cable TV under another?
Is it okay to assign a rent without agreement in the way above? I am the house owner and live here, and took all of the bills (mortage, utlities) and divided it by three. I have over 1/3 use of the house (i primarily have use of the garage and park many things outside, the larger room in the house (i was here first)).
I have other friends who i offered the same deal, should I subpoena them? I have another friend who lived in the house at the time. During those months being reasonable i split utilities by 1/3 and cable by 1/2 showing an attempt to be reasonable.
What would be the best strategy in NJ? I'm trying to go into a situation being realistic and also not looking to go to court with a critical thinking flaw.

