Legal Rights And Responsibilities Of Roommates – Part IV

Posted by on September 5, 2007 under Landlord Tenant Lawsuits | icon: commentBe the First to Comment

Learning about the legal rights and responsibilities of rooming with roommates can make sharing a place a lot easier, of course, after everything has been put down in writing, and after a deal has been worked out with the landlord. However, what is to be done, in the event, sometime later on down the road a roommate indulges in lease violation.

Suppose, he / she refuses to pay rent, or damages the place, else makes too much noise? All this means that as per the lease terms, your landlord is legally entitled to hold each and every one of you responsible.

Well, if your roommate is never on time where paying rent is concerned, the best bet is to try and do whatever is necessary to encourage him / her to move out, even while you start looking for another roommate.

In case, of rental property damaged by your roommate, discuss the issue with your landlord and tell him / her exactly what happened. This may help clear up your responsibility in the landlord’s eyes. If, it doesn’t, next best thing is to cooperate with your landlord on repairing the damages, in short behave like a perfect tenant. Perhaps, your landlord may realise, all tenants should not be punished for one tenant’s misdemeanours.

While, it is not within your sphere to evict your roommate, however, you can assist your landlord in making it easy for him / her to evict your roommate. And, if this results in a roommate who turns violent on you, you can always protect yourself by filing an anti-harassment or domestic violence order.

That apart, landlords should make themselves cognisant with all rules and regulations before drafting tenancy leases or rental agreements. They must also take all necessary precautions, such as, tenant screenings, background checks on prospective tenants, including making certain all rental lease clauses are adhered to, as insurance for a litigation free landlord / tenant relationship. A simple click of the mouse and any landlord or property manager can visit www.e-renter.com for their tenant screening and background check services. www.e-renter.com, the best tenant screening agency in America!