If your roommate is on the same lease as you, the landlord can usually go after either one of you for the entire rent — not just each person's "share." That's called joint and several liability, and it's one of the biggest financial traps in shared rentals. Here's how it works and how to protect yourself.
If your roommate stops paying their half, the landlord can demand the full month's rent from you. The landlord doesn't have to chase your roommate first.
If your roommate moves out before the lease ends, they're typically still on the hook for rent until the lease ends or the landlord formally releases them in writing.
If you and your roommate are both on the lease, you generally can't evict them through court — only the landlord can. Disputes between co-tenants are handled in small claims court, not housing court.
A simple written agreement among roommates spelling out who pays what, who covers the deposit, and what happens if someone leaves early gives you a way to recover money in court even if the landlord doesn't help.
If only one of you is on the lease and the other pays rent to that person, the lease-holder is your "landlord" for legal purposes — including notice and eviction rules. Always check the lease before subleasing.
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