Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Kansas

roommate will not pay utilities

My roommate and I signed a year lease in August. Since then we have been each paying half of the phone, cable, and electric bills. We no longer get along because she never pays the bills on time. She now stays with her boyfriend, but all of her furniture and things are still in our apartment. She now refuses to pay for the phone and cable because she is never there. Is she obligated to pay for half of each of these? I am willing to take her to court to get the money. She also has my desk locked in her room and I have asked her four times in the past month to move it out of her room. Is there any way I can force her to move it out of her room without going to court?


Asked on 1/30/02, 4:40 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Bonnie Selby Bonnie J. Selby, Attorney at Law

Re: roommate will not pay utilities

Anything in writing about sharing the monthly bills? Yes, you can file a small claims action for reimbursement of her share of the monthly bills...wherein you would present evidence of your verbal agreement to do so, if not in writing. What will be her testimony? Did she agree other than by her past performance? (which may be sufficient to show her agreement) Do you want her to move her furnishings out of the apartment? Are you willing to continue the lease obligation on your own?

Only you can know whether or not you can convince her to move your desk out of her room...how about arranging to pick up she and her friend after class one day to help you move it from her room?

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Answered on 1/30/02, 8:35 am


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