Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

Utility Bills from Shared Apartment

My fiancee and her friend both signed a lease agreement for an apartment. The utilities however where in her friends name and there was no written agreement for my girlfriend to pay utilities. Now her friend threatens to take her to small claims court to get half of the utility bills. If it goes to court would my fiancee have to pay?


Asked on 4/15/08, 1:42 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Gordon Fauth Fauth Law Offices

Re: Utility Bills from Shared Apartment

Was the girlfriend living in the apartment and using utilities? If so, then, if proper claims were made, probably the judge would find there was an oral agreement or an implied-by-conduct agreement that she pay half the utilities.

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Answered on 4/15/08, 1:59 pm
Lowell Houghton Law Offices of Hagop Chopurian

Re: Utility Bills from Shared Apartment

Generally roommates share utilities. I think that your girlfriend will lose. It might be wise to negotiate a compromise and save the time an appearance will take.

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Answered on 4/15/08, 2:44 pm


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