Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Maryland

Roommate suing me

I mistakenly moved in with a former friend when her boyfriend left their apt 2 months into their lease. She never placed me on the lease and we never signed any kind of roommate/subtenant agreement (and she never notified her landlord that I lived there).

Eventually, I wanted to leave the apartment because she was unbearable to live with. After giving her 60 day notice, she decided, at the last minute, to leave the apartment herself and move into another one on the same property under her mom's name, leaving me with the apt n her name. I even loaned her money to move into her new apartment (she couldn't afford the one we were in by herself, but I could).

I have since ended the friendship, given her 30 day notice, and moved from that apt. The landlord is saying she didn't give proper notice to vacate and is suing her for another month's rent plus damages to the apt. None of this was brought to my attention until more than 30 days after I had left the apartment. We corresponded via email regarding this issue and I told her I refused to pay those charges.

She is now taking me to small claims court and using our email as evidence to sue me. Can she do this even though I gave her notice to vacate (via email)?


Asked on 10/02/07, 4:33 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Sher Wagshal and Sher

Re: Roommate suing me

I think you have no liability to the ex-friend. You gave her the opportunity to give the landlord proper notice to vacate and apparently she failed to do that. Furthermore, you had no formal sublease relationship with her. If she still owes you money from what you loaned her, you should file a countersuit so you can get a judgment for that when you have to go to court.

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Answered on 10/03/07, 9:48 am


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