4 college students leased; are the 2 left expected to pay the other 2's share

[bsinque]

In the State of Mississippi, 4 college students leased a house. Only 3 actually signed the lease; the 4th never did (unknown to the other 3). The 3rd left the house back in Nov, 2000. The 4th has left since then, leaving 2 honest struggling college students in the house. The landlord has summoned all 4 to court for lost rent and damaged property; in total $10,000 or $2500 each. Can the court force the 2 still remaining, who, by the way have paid their share of the lease, to pay for the 2 who have 'skipped country'? Should the 2 even consider going to court without legal representation? Does the court appoint lawyers in these sort of cases to those who can't affort attorney fees?

 

[LL]

If the lease says that all lessees are jointly and severally responsible, then the court will order judgement against everyone that they can for the whole amount. That means that the landlord can go after any one of them for the entire amount, separately or together.

Settle with the landlord, and pay the bill including costs. If you think that there is some issue that the other students owe you something, think about taking them to small claims court for their share.