Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Florida
Rent/Utilities
I signed a lease with a roommate (both names on lease). Well, after a month he has decided to move out. I know I can get his portion of the rent from him, but do I have any sort of recourse with getting money for utilities? We had a verbal agreement that ALL apartment expenses would be shared for the duration of the lease.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Rent/Utilities
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Frankly, if you can get your now ex roommate to continue to pay 1/2 of the rent without living there, you are far ahead of the game. I would not even try to get a share of the utilities. Most ex roommates feel they are not responsible for the payment of rent and challange the remaining roommate to sue them.
You should consider looking for a new roommate who can share the expenses. In the interim, consider the payment of rent a blessing and don't take any chances of losing it by demanding more.
Legally, since there is no written obligation to pay utilities, I do not think there is an obligation to pay under the law nor do I believe a judge would require a former tenant to pay any portion of utilities which you consume.
Scott R. Jay, Esq.
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