Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Maryland

Hostile ex-roommate threatens remaining tenants

Eight months ago, I entered into a lease on an apartment with two other people. All three of our names were on the lease. One of my roommates has decided to leave due to a variety of reasons, not the least of which being that he doesn't get along with us anymore. He vacated the apartment, taking all of his personal belongings with him. Since his name was on the lease, he was responsible for 1/3 of the rent. He had continued to pay his share of the rent, but no utilities, and he has no property in the apartment. The rental office informed us that since he is still on the lease he has a right to the apartment still. However, we are not comfortable with this as he has made threats against us on several occasions, making us feel that his access to our personal property when we are away is a potentially a very serious problem. Is their any way that we would be able to deny him access, since he has no property in the apartment, and pays none of the utilities? His only business in the apartment would be trying to damage our property. What should we do about him?


Asked on 3/24/02, 9:15 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Sher Wagshal and Sher

Re: Hostile ex-roommate threatens remaining tenants

Are you prepared to give up the rest of his rent contribution, which probably will end after the first year anyway (although you didn't state the length of the lease)? If so, ask the landlord if you can execute a new lease with just the two of you on it as tenants. Then you'd have to get new locks put on if the ex-roommate won't give up his key. As things stand now, he still has a legal right to return as long as he's paying his share of the rent.

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Answered on 3/25/02, 2:19 pm


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