When A Roommate Moves Out

When a co-tenant skips out and leaves you holding the baby, it would be pretty reasonable for you to feel frustrated and look for alternative accommodation, instead of going through the hassle of trying to rustle up another suitable roommate.

In order, to make it easy to leave and prevent the landlord from penalizing you by retaining your security deposit in lieu of unpaid rent, or from ruining your credit by sending the credit bureau an adverse report on you, the following two steps may help:

1. For those tenants with month-to-month agreements, it is a good idea to give the requisite amount of notice (usually 30 days) in writing, promptly and immediately. Best not to wait till next month’s rent becomes due and you are unable to pay it, which could result in your receiving a termination notice.
2. However, if instead of a month-to-month agreement, you have a lease, inform your landlord in writing regarding your plans to move, making him / her aware of the fact it won’t be possible for you to make the rent without a co-tenant. Before moving, accommodate your landlord in the showing of your unit to any prospective renters he / she may bring for a viewing. By facilitating a quick re-rental, you not only extend kind courtesy to your landlord, but also ensure it proves advantageous to you as well, since the quicker a new tenant moves in, the sooner your complete rental liability under the lease ends. As well, you yourself can help your landlord by finding an acceptable replacement tenant for the unit.