Roommate moving out

[Janetps]

I live in Connecticut my roommate has decided to move out we have a month to month agreement and they want back their security deposit ASAP the agreement is for the the rent to be paid on the 1st of each month they told me on the 22nd of the month I do not know what inside of their room looks like so I have no idea what needs to be fixed we agreed to walk through it but afterwards I still have to walk through it with my landlord because that’s who has the money they have not given me any written notice to give my landlord and he is asking for it I have also related that to them We also agreed on splitting utilities but they have only been here a month and my gas bill has not been mailed as yet they are threatening to take me to small claims court should I just let them because all of this has now become frustrating

 

[HRZ]

So far nothing you post makes much sense ....I'm a retired LL, elsewhere ...in general the security is not due back until the whole unit is surrender ..after proper notice and any deduction properly made and only on such time line as your state law requires.

ANd it is quite likely that the RMs duty to pay rent ( and utilities ) has quite a bit longer to run....and it reads like correct notice has yet to be given ...

PS ...read your lease and state law with some care...it's quite possible that if RM bails you are left holding whole bag and it's up to you to sue RM for missing share..LL need only press the button that is easiest to press.

IT is ultra likely that no proper notice has yet been given....be sure RM pays in full for Jan !!

 

[Janetps]

I have no problem giving them back the security out of my pocket and keeping the whole unit for my self but they are leaving me in an odd place with all the bills so I will follow your advice thank you so much

 

[Just Blue]

I have no problem giving them back the security out of my pocket and keeping the whole unit for my self but they are leaving me in an odd place with all the bills so I will follow your advice thank you so much

punctuation is your friend.

 

[HRZ]

BE darn careful about paying things that are not your duty to pay .

Under Connecticut law, a landlord must return the tenant's security deposit within 30 days after the tenant has surrendered the rental property to the landlord (that is, returned the keys and vacated the property) or within 15 days of receiving the tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later.

IT is not likely RM can give proper notice for Jan 2018 ...aanything less than 3 days would be very unusual in CT ..but read the lease . Rent and utilities run thru end on Jan, minimum. ..two different contracts most likely.

IF this is a joint and separate liability for the whole unit - rent ...it's not exactly clean for one to bail...for starters , how does one surrender the whole unit.

JUst be careful when RM is supposedly out you have a written revised lease in just your name. AND there is not a lot of RM junk still in unit....you don't want RM to come back 2 weeks from now insisting to be allowed back in...ideally there needs to be a written surrender executed by at least RM and LL.

Once RM is out and off the lease your practical leverage to collect any remaining share of rent or utilities drops way down ...be careful to get paid up front if possible .

OK it could get worse..a NO pay RM who just squats ...try not to go there .

 

[latigo]

I live in Connecticut my roommate has decided to move out we have a month to month agreement and they want back their security deposit ASAP the agreement is for the the rent to be paid on the 1st of each month they told me on the 22nd of the month I do not know what inside of their room looks like so I have no idea what needs to be fixed we agreed to walk through it but afterwards I still have to walk through it with my landlord because that’s who has the money they have not given me any written notice to give my landlord and he is asking for it I have also related that to them We also agreed on splitting utilities but they have only been here a month and my gas bill has not been mailed as yet they are threatening to take me to small claims court should I just let them because all of this has now become frustrating

Did you really mean to ask if you should "let'' your roommate take you to small claims court? Wouldn't it be a big naive to think that your roommate would need your permission?

But take you to court over what? What is this "either or else" threatening business? That you either refund "their" security deposit "ASAP" or else the roommate will sue you for it? If so, and you are taking the thread seriously (which seems to be the case) why would you think it was your responsibility? You write that the "landlord holds the money". So isn't it obvious that any claim the roommate may have for a refund rests with the landlord and not you?

Also, as has already been correctly mentioned here, the landlord is under no obligation to account for any security deposit until a given period of time after all the tenants have vacated and surrendered the premises.

Anyway, all I can offer is that you are under no obligation to the roommate for any security deposit and should ignore any such demands. Also it is extremely unlikely that he or she would carry out the threat. A judge would throw it out "faster than a cheetah leaves a salad bar". *

As far as the "walk through" the roommate's room - even though it would be premature from the standpoint of releasing any security deposit - if the landlord is agreeable it might be well to do so and be able to document what if any repairs or other expenditures are needed and were not your doing.

Lastly, I have a fear that you may be thinking of advancing the roommate's share or contribution to the security deposit. If so, do not do it!


[SUP][*] My apologies to Scott Adams' cheetah.[/SUP]