Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Maryland
My roommate wants to move out before the lease ends in August. I know I cannot afford the rent on my own. Both of our names are on the lease. She has been known to do this before on prior leases. I cannot sublet the unit per the lease agreement. Would she be responsible for her portion of rent and bills?
1 Answer from Attorneys
If you are both on the lease, you are both liable for the rent. Let me be clear, this usually means that EACH roommate is responsible for the ENTIRE amount of the rent. It's not the landlord's job to chase one delinquent roommate for his half of the rent. It is likely the landlord can go after either of you or both of you for the rent. In other words, your roommate likely cannot avoid her contractual lease obligations by simply moving out -- if it was that easy, everyone would do it.
With that said, if you pay your roommate's portion of the rent and bills (so you don't get evicted) and are not paid back, you can take your roommate to court and ask the court to order her to pay back the bills.
Best of luck.*****The above is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client privilege.*******
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