Results 1 to 3 of 3
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Posts
    2

    Default What Happens if Only One Roommate Moves Out

    My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Virginia

    I currently live with one roommate and our lease is ending in March. I let her know that I will be moving in with my fiance but gave her the choice to keep the apartment and renew the lease with a new roommate or if she wanted to move out, I would take over the lease. Our lease indicates that we need to give 60 days notice if we do not wish to renew our, so I told her to let me know what her decision is prior to the 60 day notice in order to avoid any fees (1 months rent) for missing that deadline. She let me know today that she wishes to keep the apartment but that she doesn't have a roommate lined up yet. She has until the beginning of February to find a new roommate (we have a 30 day notice for changing roommates).

    Since I will not be renewing the lease and I am not breaking our current lease agreement, I would like to be relieved of any possible charges if she fails to find a new roommate or if she cannot, for any reason, renew the lease. I communicated this with her and she seems to understand, but I want to be protected in the event that any fees are incurred for missing these deadlines.

    Should I get a written agreement (as awkward as that will be) for her to sign that I am relieved of these possible fees and she is now responsible for the renewal of the lease? Or would contacting my leasing office be sufficient enough? I had talked to the leasing office a week ago about the deadlines and processes, and it was basically laid out that once she finds a new roommate, I can sign an addendum stating that I am leaving regardless of my lease end date, but I am not leaving - I'm simply not renewing but will pay through my current lease date.

    Please let me know if you need any clarification or have any follow up questions.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: What Happens if Only One Roommate Moves Out

    I suggest approaching your landlord directly with the issue: That you will be moving out at the end of the lease term, that you are giving your 60 days notice (in writing, served in the manner described in the lease), that your roommate wants to continue to rent with a new roommate under a new lease, but that your roommate cannot commit to staying beyond the initial lease term until she finds a new roommate. No agreement between you and your roommate will bind your landlord.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: What Happens if Only One Roommate Moves Out

    So it's a leasing management company that owns my building. I spoke with a rep yesterday and she said that even with my notice we are both liable. Basically if my roommate doesn't do anything, I can't get out of the lease. That confuses me because the lease only goes until March 2013, and we are still required to sign a new lease to stay there. How am I still stuck in a lease when I won't sign onto the new terms? My current roommate is a friend so I want to help her find another roommate so she can stay there but also to protect myself. I just want something to say that should anything happen, I am not the one financially responsible for the fees associated if she is not eligible to pay.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Roommates: Utilities After Roommate Moves Out
    By krgreen719 in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 01-28-2010, 02:15 PM
  2. Roommates: Roommate Named On Lease Moves Out In Georgia
    By Jiodek in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 01-29-2008, 02:41 PM
  3. Roommates: Am I Obligated To Give Money To My Roommate When She Moves
    By qupert in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 06-07-2007, 08:59 PM
  4. Moving Out: Rights of a Roommate Who Moves Out, In California
    By Time2 in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-26-2007, 05:24 AM
  5. Security Deposits: Who Refunds The Deposit When One Roommate Moves Out
    By crabbie74 in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-01-2005, 10:17 AM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources