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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    1

    Default Can I Sue My Housemate Over Damages to Our Rental Property

    My question involves a security deposit in the State of: New Jersey

    This past year I lived with 6 college friends. During Winter Break, one of my housemates left the windows open in his bedroom. Thus, when I came back 3 weeks later, I heard a weird noise and went into the basement. The basement was flooded 5 feet! Everything was floating and rearragned and Underwater!..I called the landlord so the next day the plumber came, and he said the reason is because those windows were left open so the Pipes Froze causing the flood.

    Now, our lease just ended, and we didnt get any of our security deposit back (We each initially paid $675 , leading to about $4900 for the 7 of us). The deductions were due to the basement flood damages, and the replacement of the 2 washers and dryers which were thrown out due to the flood. This housemate also broke the kitchen stove, which was like $500.

    If you do the math, he was responsible for much more than the $675 he threw down, so therefore the other housemates' deposits covered the rest of his damages. Can we take him to Small Claims Court and make him compensate us for our portions of the security deposit?

    PS..another housemate did not pay last month's rent . Thus, the landlord deducted his rent from our security deposit. So, we basically ended up paying for his rent.

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

    Default Re: Can I Sue My Housemate Over Damages to Our Rental Property

    You (and your fellow aggrieved roommates) can try suing your ex-roommate. If you win, will he be able to pay a judgment?

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