The issue at hand is kind of complex. It takes place in Atlanta, GA.
Four roommates and myself signed a lease in August 2006 with a one year term, after which the lease would continue month to month. Among these tenants was Charles. Charles decided to move out in January 2008, while still a tenant at will, and kind of left everything to us, despite the fact that we had told him that he was responsible for his share of the rent. (We had verbally agreed to split the rent evenly between the five of us.) Charles's response was that he was "washing his hands of this," and that he had no responsibility to help us do anything at all.
Eventually, we found someone to take his place. We notified the landlord, who OK'd it, and the new guy, Dave, moved in. Charles wanted his deposit back, but there is an ongoing battle with my landlord regarding some water damage and whose responsibility the water damage is. Dave suggested that Charles write a document stating that any damage traceable to before January 2008 be paid by Charles, and that Dave would pay a deposit to our landlord, who would then send Charles back his deposit. Charles agreed to this but changed his mind.
Charles is arguing that any damage in the house is the remaining four roommates' problem, that he has no responsibility for any damage in the house, and that he wants his deposit back from the landlord. Dave will move out on Friday if we can't get it settled such that he does not have to lose money on water damage that occurred before he starting living with us.
The lease has not been changed.
What comes to mind as a solution? Is Charles still responsible for the rent? Is he responsible for the damage?

