Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Massachusetts

what am I liable for paying as an x-roommate

I was sharing an apt in which I was paying all the bills. I got kicked out by my roommate who now wants me to pay the back bills that were left. Which I payed for..but my roommate used the money towards other things than the bills. I was also there only two days before she kicked me out and she wants me to pay half this months rent as well. I told her I would give her some money but didn't agree to an amount. Can I be held accountable for my verbal agreement of paying her something towards the owed bills. She has a letter where I stated that she didn't have to work while I lived there. Can this be used against me as well? And can I be held accountable for mental, physical, or emotional strain caused because of it?


Asked on 6/23/99, 6:11 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Re: what am I liable for paying as an x-roommate

Why did you agree to pay more than what you'd already paid for

back bills? Why were you paying all the utilities anyway?

I don't understand the "she didn't have to work" line.

The 'default' notice is probably 30 days, depending on facts you haven't told me yet,

so you could owe more rent, but I could see deducting her share of utilities from prior months as a fair possibility.

(This is a bit besides the point, but what authority did your roommate have to kick you out? Who found the place and

who was there first? )

Your promises to pay certain amounts are probably not enforceable; that, too, depends on some facts I don't have (which

I would like to ask you).

Cases like this generally don't get emotional distress claims awarded; this is essentially a business

agreement and merely monetary shortfalls rarely result in emotional distress claims under the law. Everyone gets distressed

when they are owed money or whatever, and the law doesn't like to recognize that distress. But there are times ... you'd better

call me.

Please give me a call at my office either after 9 PM tonight or else tomorrow AM after 9:30 AM.

(617) 527-0050.

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Answered on 7/07/99, 12:29 pm
Alan Pransky Law Office of Alan J. Pransky

Re: what am I liable for paying as an x-roommate

There is risk in everything you do in this situation. If you pay it can be a bottomless

pit. If you don't pay you could be sued in court. It is a hard choice but I would

probably take my chance in court instead of the future of paying the bills forever.

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Answered on 7/08/99, 11:35 pm


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