This is complicated. I moved to Hawaii to attend school, and rented a room in a 3 BR house from the leaseholder through facebook, who is also attending school. At the time of "agreement" through facebook, I was told that I did not need to pay a security deposit, since she had already done so. (I was also told I had an attached bathroom, a door on my room and windows that closed, which wasn't the case, but that is another story entirely). The lease is a 10 month lease, and over the course of 10 months, the landlord has grown fond of my responsibility, so has signed the next lease to me.
Anyway, the third housemate is so filthy and had taken over the refrigerator after about a month, and would not compromise about any of the shared responsibilities (cleaning, taking out the trash, etc) when I discussed what to do, so she stopped talking to me. Luckily, I have a private entrance, so I bought a mini-fridge, microwave and cooktop, and luckily had a sink in my room so I have been living in my room, entirely for the past 7 months... (or past 9 months, while using the "shared" refrigerator for the first 2 months). Every time I had used the common area, I left it cleaner than it was before I used it.
Since the leaseholder did not ever sign a contract with me about the amount that I must pay every month, or that I must pay for cleaning fees (deducted from the deposit) in the end, I do not feel that I am responsible.
I feel this because:
1) I am staying in the house,
2) I am a clean freak (and former housekeeper myself), and the housekeeper can prepare an estimate based on square footage of my room, and subtract it from the total, since my area is not dirty
3) I do not use the common area, as noted above,
4) most importantly, I was told I did not have to pay a deposit (which I have written proof of).
When I move out of a rental, I leave the place as clean, if not cleaner than it was when I moved in, so that I am not charged a cleaning fee. I told, verbally & in writing, that I am not paying the leaseholder anything for a cleaning fee. The difference in cleanliness between my space and the common area is exponential, like night and day. I walked through the house and took video, for comparison.
The leaseholder has actually not been living here, but staying with a boyfriend for the last 4 months. She said that I am childish and unresponsible for not wanting to offer any money. I believe irresponsibility lies with her in not collecting deposit money from me in the first place. I suggested that if she wants to collect money, she needs to go after the third housemate, but that comment went in one ear and out the other. I also believe she needs to learn from this mistake and move on. I do periodically clean our shared laundry room, and am the only one who does so, so I guess I will save her a little bit of money on cleaning fees there.
What are my legal rights? What do I do? I am a broke college student, but smart about contracts.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and providing your feedback.
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By the way, in my next lease, with the next two housemates, who are also my classmates, I am collecting a deposit from each of them, and writing up a contract that explains fees for rent, and late fees, and the contract will be signed, witnessed and notarized.

