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Ex significant other kicked me out of our rental home/utilities

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Bhahn75

Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Ohio

My exSO kicked me out of our rental home because he is on a drunken binder. He has always paid the bills in the 12 years we've been together. One bill comes with my first name and his last name on it. I'm assuming it's because the lady I talked to when I set it up goofed. He wanted me to put them in his name but he was unavailable at the time to call, hence the reason why they are in my name. If I turn the utilities off, is he still liable for half? And can he charge me for using his name? We've been in the property for over a year. And I receive mail there and he didn't legally throw me out.
 


HRZ

Senior Member
As Zigner asked, tell us whose name is on lease.


You are unwise to shut off utilities...self help evictions are illegal.

You may have piles of legal rights to be in your dwelling unit.

IF your exSO is into threats of harm or actual harm to you , you may be able to get his
presence barred by a restraining or protection order.
 

Zigner

Senior Member, Non-Attorney
As Zigner asked, tell us whose name is on lease.


You are unwise to shut off utilities...self help evictions are illegal.

You may have piles of legal rights to be in your dwelling unit.

IF your exSO is into threats of harm or actual harm to you , you may be able to get his
presence barred by a restraining or protection order.
I don't believe that this would be a self-help eviction at all.
 

HRZ

Senior Member
YOu are right..as always ....but shutting off the utilities is not a cool move until your question about who is what where as to lease is answered ....
 

Zigner

Senior Member, Non-Attorney
Yes, we are both listed on the lease. The utilities have balanced due from before he kicked me out.
He can't "kick you out." You have every right to return there...with the assistance of the police, if necessary. Also, you remain liable for the lease even if you're not there.
 

Bhahn75

Junior Member
The rent he will pay. Although now it is month to month. He wants to not pay the utilities that are due, put them in his name (which is fine with me) and pay HIS bills. He thinks because the utilities are in my name he doesn't have to be responsible for them. My question is: is he responsible for half? And can he charge me with identity theft because one bill comes with my first name and his last name.

Going back is not an option for me. The emotional abuse and constant yelling are ridiculous. I've been in contact with the landlord. He has not responded to me as of yet.
 

Zigner

Senior Member, Non-Attorney
The rent he will pay. Although now it is month to month. He wants to not pay the utilities that are due, put them in his name (which is fine with me) and pay HIS bills. He thinks because the utilities are in my name he doesn't have to be responsible for them. My question is: is he responsible for half?
He's only responsible for half if you can prove that you (both) have an agreement that he's responsible for half.

And can he charge me with identity theft because one bill comes with my first name and his last name.
No, you didn't steal anyone's identity.

Going back is not an option for me. The emotional abuse and constant yelling are ridiculous. I've been in contact with the landlord. He has not responded to me as of yet.
You need to give proper notice. In writing.
 

HRZ

Senior Member
Your choice not to live there does NOT take you off the hook to pay the lease, and odds are you are liable for the full thing if he drops,the ball.

Whatever the deal between the two of you as to splits of costs..is a separate deal than the lease... if there was a deal to split rents he might have a winnable point to force you to pay.

YOu both would be smart to get this MtM lease properly ended and surrendered....if he stays in while on joint names..you may have problems if he drops the ball...if he and LL execute a NEW deal...so be. It...be sure you are off.

Local to me there are regulatory issues about turning some utilities off while anyone is still there or somebody new signs . ..do NOT know in your area...me,I d check local proper turn off ...I'm nervous...but Zigner is correct turning off your own utilities is not a lock out. ....
 

FarmerJ

Senior Member
Don't worry about the name mix up , either of you could have brought this error up to the utility long ago , you didn't steal anything, as you have already been told you need to end the current month to month rental SO send to the landlord a written on real paper letter telling the LL date , your name, address, and something to the effect of ` this is my notice to you that I will soon be vacating and be out by the end of March 2018 (unless that lease called for 60 days of notice to not renew or end the lease) sign it. even if your gone well before the end of march it will be clear to the LL that your obligation to this lease will end . Make a couple extra copies , get your stuff out of there even if it means asking the police for a escort then send one copy of the notice to the landlord via certificate of mailing or confirmed mail delivery , staple receipt to copy of the letter (maybe after your out send short letter to ex to tell him you have given notice to the LL you are moving -moved out . As long as he pays march rent then you will be okay then after that if he doesn't pay any more rent its his problem , not yours!
 

HRZ

Senior Member
I'm not up on technical details of your lease and if one party out of two of you can unilaterally end the lease etc.

OP it would bea useful IF you could get a written acknowledgement of YOUR lease is over from LL...why, because it inhibits the LL from chasing you if SO drops the ball a month or so from now.
 

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