Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Maryland

I gave my portion of the rent ($600) to my roommate to pay the rent ($1100) since I was going to be on vaction in the Bahamas when the rent was due. When I got home on the 5th, I received a phone call from my landlord telling me that the rent had not yet been paid. When I called my roommate, he said that he put the cash into and envelope and placed it in the landlords mailbox on the 5th around 6 am. My landlord said that she did not have anything in her mailbox at all that day. Since then the only contact I have had with my roommate is a brief chat conversation on Facebook, on July 6th, in which he told me to sell his couch and TV to try to get some money to make up the rent. I have tried to call him several times everyday since then, but he never answers his phone. I have also sent him several text messages, to which he does not reply. He has been staying at his girlfriends house since the 5th, and has not come home.

Can I: 1. change the locks so he cannot return, and 2. sell more of his stuff to try and make up the difference in rent?


Asked on 7/11/10, 3:15 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Sher Wagshal and Sher

If he's on the lease, you can't lock him out, nor can you sell his stuff without permission. You can sue him for his share of the rent that he failed to pay, assuming you've now paid it, but collecting will be tough unless he's gainfully employed. I suggest you notify him in writing that you intend to start looking for another roommate unless he immediately catches up and indicates some interest in remaining a tenant. Also advise him that if he doesn't claim his property within a certain period of time, you will consider it abandoned and take whatever action is necessary to cover his share of the rent. If you are on a lease, remember each of you is responsible for the entire rent to the landlady. If you are on a month to month tenancy, you could leave after giving 30 days' notice if you don't want to get stuck with the entire rent.

Read more
Answered on 7/13/10, 10:54 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Real Estate and Real Property questions and answers in Maryland