Results 1 to 10 of 12

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Posts
    6

    Default Roommate Won't Agree to End Our Lease Early

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

    Hi All:

    I told my roommate in Aug 2014 that I was pregnant and due in April 2015. I talked to my landlord about getting out of our lease early. Our lease expires May 31, 2015 but he is allowing us to leave in April 2015 without any penalty. My roommate refuses to move out until the end of the lease. I told her that I would have a replacement for her and the girl (i have known her 30-years) can rent March until the end of May when our lease is up. My roommate refuses and says that she signed a lease with me, and it's not my fault that I got pregnant. If i am supplying a totally reputable girl, with a full time job, not a drinker, a nice person - at what point is she holding me hostage?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Pennsylvania
    Posts
    806

    Default Re: Roommate Won't Agree to End Our Lease Early

    Technically, you and your roommate are in a contract until May 31, 2015. You getting permission from the landlord to leave early doesn't excuse you from your contractual agreement to split costs (which I'm assuming is why you were roommates to begin with?). She is not "holding you hostage". You agreed to a contract, and unless there is some specific provision in it about alterations, all parties must agree to any changes after the contract takes effect. Your roommate is not agreeing. Typically, in order to get someone to agree, you offer them money. I'm sure if you paid her half of the utilities (like you would if you were living there) she wouldn't care if you left early.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Posts
    6

    Default Re: Roommate Won't Agree to End Our Lease Early

    I appreciate your reply - thank you!

    The 'replacement' would take over my lease and pay for the half of utilities, so i'm not sure what I would give her extra money for? She isn't losing anything, she would get a replacement for the 2-months. Isn't that all that I have to provide?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Pennsylvania
    Posts
    806

    Default Re: Roommate Won't Agree to End Our Lease Early

    Seems logical to me that that would satisfy the other party. So why do you believe she is holding you hostage? She is not agreeing to another person moving in there?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Posts
    6

    Default Re: Roommate Won't Agree to End Our Lease Early

    We have been friends for over 20+ years. She says that it's not her fault that I got pregnant so she doesn't want to work to change anything - "I signed the lease". I agree, it isn't her fault and it definitely wasn't planned, but life happened. She is just very picky about who she lives with, and i don't blame her, but at what point can i say "i tried" and leave? I assume the landlord would sue me for the 2-months that I left early (since she won't let my friend move in) but couldn't i turn around and sue her since i made good faith efforts? I want nothing to do with suing people and have never done that, but If i'm being fair and offering solutions, when is enough enough?
    I just want to move two months early so that I can prepare for my baby!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Toledo, OH
    Posts
    16,307

    Default Re: Roommate Won't Agree to End Our Lease Early

    I just want to move two months early so that I can prepare for my baby!
    So move out early, but continue to fulfill your legal obligation to pay rent and utilities for those two months. Because it's NOT your roommate's fault that you got pregnant, and you're actually being quite unreasonable in asking her to make sacrifices for your life choices.

    She doesn't want to live with a stranger, and you can't make her.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Roommates: How Can a Roommate Get Out of the Lease Early
    By wonderingperson in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 02-10-2014, 04:47 PM
  2. Modifying a Lease: Does Our Landlord Have to Allow My Roommate Off the Lease if We Both Agree
    By mlee89 in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 03-25-2013, 01:17 PM
  3. Rental Agreements: Involuntary Early Lease Termination by Roommate (Private Lease)
    By SandC in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-12-2009, 09:06 PM
  4. Roommates: Ending Roommate Lease Early
    By smadasil in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 04-06-2009, 03:03 PM
  5. Roommates: My Roommate Won't Agree to Any Tenant to Take Place on My Lease
    By sb442 in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-24-2008, 10:55 AM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources