Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Texas

Real Estate - Landlord/ Tenant

I signed a lease with a roommate in October for a duplex. It is a one year lease. The living situation has been very tense and despite several attempts to correct it, it has progressively worsened. I have offered to allow her to find a roommate to replace me, find a roommate myself to replace me, and to allow her to move out. All of which she has denied. She insists that I fulfill the rest of the lease. I have evidence of my offering these options to her. During this period she has been speaking ill of me at both my job and with my landlord. I am not worried about my credit being affected at this point. I was wondering if I could give them notice of me vacating and if they insist that I pay the rest of my lease, if I could discuss a gradual payoff that is 1/3 of my rent since i must find housing else where. Also, could she take me to court, or could just the owner take me to court? They have no cause to evict me.


Asked on 1/27/09, 12:10 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Cheryl Rivera Smith The Smith Law Firm

Re: Real Estate - Landlord/ Tenant

Unfortunately a lease is a binding contract. As long as you pay on time, your credit shouldn't be affected. Your best bet is to talk to your landlord and see if there is anything you can work out. Read your document - it may be possible that you could sublet your 1/2 interest to another, but it sounds like the roommate from hell might be a problem.

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Answered on 1/27/09, 5:03 pm


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