can i sue my ex roommate for unpaid rent?

Question

my roommate moved out 3 months after we began living here, luckily for her she escaped signing the lease somehow because the apartment office is full of idiots and my credit was fine where i could rent it on my own. I know if she was not on the lease i generally cant sue but in this case she had the utilities and cable in her name and also changed her address to this one from her old one... so she obviously had intentions of staying through the lease. I came home from work and everything was gone without notice.

Chuck · Accepted Answer

You can try but there's no guarantee you'll be successful.

? · Answer

If your roommate owes less than $500 then take her to a small claims court. If she owes more than $500 then get a lawyer. Her name is not on the lease so I don't know if you'll win the case. You can consult with a lawyer first or go to a website that offers free legal advice and ask the question there. I'm sorry you had to deal with that. I can't believe how crappy some people can be.

PoohBearPenguin · Answer

What do you mean "everything was gone without notice"?  You got evicted?  

Anyways you can try taking her to small claims court for her part of the rent, using the change of addresses and the utilities being in her name as her intent of living there. You can't use a lawyer in small claims court, and it only costs $30-50 to file the case.  You and her show up, explain your and her side of the story and the judge makes a decision.

? · Answer

Take her to small claims court and sue for money owed so start collecting any and all evidence you have and any witnesses you may have too, and come up with a total she owes you and what for. Good luck

Spock (rhp) · Answer

yes -- you can definitely sue.  small claims is the usual place for this in most states.


collecting after you win is frequently difficult however .... as you'll learn.

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can i sue my ex roommate for unpaid rent?

5 Answers