MARYLAND
I am wondering what my legal options are in this sitaution:
In April, a former roomate and I signed a five month lease, which recently reverted to a month to month status. I paid the entire security deposit, all application fees, and all other associated costs of moving into the house. The agreement between us (oral) was that although the costs would be split evenly, I would pay them up front and he would pay me back incrementally each pay period. We also agreed to split all household expenses, including groceries, utilities and cable.
Through August, I had been paying the entire rent, utility bill, and grocery bill while he had been paying only the cable. Although I repeatedly asked for money, I continued to pay the rent each month to avoid delinquency and possible eviction. Each time I asked for money, the response was along the lines of "I get my paycheck next Thursday, which I will sign over to you". Each time, Thursday came and went with no money.
Altogether, I was paid approximately $1000 towards a debt that has now accumulated to almost $6000.
When September's rent became due, I informed him that he absolutely had to come up with his share of the rent, because I could not afford to cover it anymore. A few days later, he informed me that he would be moving out the next morning.
We're both on the lease, he has paid almost nothing on quite a substancial debt, and gave 8 hours notice of him moving out. He refused to return his key but tried to take his name off the lease.
He agreed (orally) that he would pay his portion the rent because of such late notice of moving out, as well as continue paying the cable bill.
Within two weeks, the cable was turned off with no notice, and I have yet to see any money.
He keeps coming back on the property, even though he has nothing left here, threatening that if his name does not get removed from the lease, he will continue to come on the property and remove items (my property).
I want to keep his name on the lease as an assurance that he will pay the rent going forward as he had agreed to do.
But, I'm afraid of his returning to the property and taking my stuff!
What are my options?
Even though his name is on the lease, because he has moved out, offficially changed his address with the post office and has no property here, can I legally keep him off the property (thru abandonment, etc.)?
I know that I will have to take him to Court for the back rent, etc... he owes me.
Thanks.

