Legal Question in Real Estate Law in New York

I signed a lease with three other individuals several months ago, but because of their intolerable behavior I have decided to move out. Since my name is on the lease along with theirs, but until now we have verbally agreed to split the cost of the house by room (so I have been paying 1/3 of the rent as apposed to 1/4), what amount am I legally responsible for if I move out but cannot find someone to assign the lease to? Could my roommates or landlord sue me for paying only 1/4 of the rent? The only part of the lease that seems to address this is the part that says "JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY- Each Tenant signing this lease shall be personally responsible for the entire lease including payment of rent as if he was the only Tenant and shall be legally responsible for any breach of the terms of this lease by the other Tenants signing it," which I don not fully understand the ramifications of.


Asked on 4/27/11, 10:58 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Markowitz Michael A. Markowitz, PC

Joint and several liability means that each tenant is responsible for the entire lease. Therefore, to answer your question, "what amount am I legally responsible for if I move out but cannot find someone to assign the lease to?", the answer would be the entire lease.

Mike.

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Answered on 4/28/11, 4:39 am


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