A question about rent and bill sharing.

[cromulent]

So, I live in a house with some roommates. Three others to be exact. Two of them are on the lease and you and me and one other guy are not on the lease. So one of the roommates on the lease has gotten a job offer and has to move. Obviously this person has to continue paying rent but does he also have to continue to pay the bills?

I say yes because whether you are there or not as long as you take up a residence you are obligated to take the same responsibilites as everyone else.

So does anyone know for sure legally speaking? Or has anyone been in a similar situation and can empart some advice?

This is in Texas. Thanks a million in advance for anyone that can help.

 

[HomeGuru]

So, I live in a house with some roommates. Three others to be exact.

**A: that makes 4 tenants total.
*****

Two of them are on the lease and you and me and one other guy are not on the lease.

**A: th at add up to 5 tenants total.
********
So one of the roommates on the lease has gotten a job offer and has to move. Obviously this person has to continue paying rent but does he also have to continue to pay the bills?

**A: what bills? If share of utilities such as water, gas, electric, phone, cable etc,, why should he have to pay when he would not be using the utilities?
********

I say yes because whether you are there or not as long as you take up a residence you are obligated to take the same responsibilites as everyone else.

So does anyone know for sure legally speaking? Or has anyone been in a similar situation and can empart some advice?

This is in Texas. Thanks a million in advance for anyone that can help.

**A: explain further.

 

[Who's Liable?]

I agree with HomeGuru... While the Roommate has a legal obligation to continue paing his portion of the rent IF he is on the lease, he does not have to pay for bills if he does not live there... While there are no laws specifically stating he is obligated to pay the bills, there is no laws that states he can't... BUT if you were to take him to court, most likely the judge will vote in his favor for the same reason HomeGuru stated: "why should he pay bills for a place he does not live, sleep, or use the utilities?"

 

[HomeGuru]

I agree with HomeGuru... While the Roommate has a legal obligation to continue paing his portion of the rent IF he is on the lease, he does not have to pay for bills if he does not live there... While there are no laws specifically stating he is obligated to pay the bills, there is no laws that states he can't... BUT if you were to take him to court, most likely the judge will vote in his favor for the same reason HomeGuru stated: "why should he pay bills for a place he does not live, sleep, or use the utilities?"

**A: actually, in the court of law, the writer would lose based on the lease agreement and the joint and several liability issue.

 

[cromulent]

**A: explain further.

Okay then.

There are four roommates together including me. I appoligize for that terrible sounding and confusing sentence that made it add up to five. I had written this question in another forum and copy and pasted it to this one, made some changes but somehow forgot to change that bit. Anyway.

The bills are all the usual just like you stated. Water, gas, electricity, internet/phone, cable. The reason there is controversey is because when another roommate was talking about going to live with his parents for the summer the roommate who is now moving told him he would have to continue to pay the rent and bills just like normal. So now that roommate one is moving out he suddenly doesn't see it this way any more.

Thank you everybody, this has been most interesting and you've helped us out a great deal.

The other question I have is that now the roommate who is moving out is moving out (sorry I realize this may be confusing.) he seems to be mentioning to me and the other roommate not on the lease that we need to meet with the landlord to sign the lease. He's telling us we have to. But my parents had specifically told me never to sign the lease and that it could get me in a lot of trouble. We're thinking that the reason he is now so adamant about us signing is to further cover his own ass once he moves out. Can anyone confirm that we have no actual obligation to sign?

 

[HomeGuru]

Okay then.

There are four roommates together including me. I appoligize for that terrible sounding and confusing sentence that made it add up to five. I had written this question in another forum and copy and pasted it to this one, made some changes but somehow forgot to change that bit. Anyway.

The bills are all the usual just like you stated. Water, gas, electricity, internet/phone, cable. The reason there is controversey is because when another roommate was talking about going to live with his parents for the summer the roommate who is now moving told him he would have to continue to pay the rent and bills just like normal. So now that roommate one is moving out he suddenly doesn't see it this way any more.

Thank you everybody, this has been most interesting and you've helped us out a great deal.

The other question I have is that now the roommate who is moving out is moving out (sorry I realize this may be confusing.) he seems to be mentioning to me and the other roommate not on the lease that we need to meet with the landlord to sign the lease. He's telling us we have to. But my parents had specifically told me never to sign the lease and that it could get me in a lot of trouble. We're thinking that the reason he is now so adamant about us signing is to further cover his own ass once he moves out. Can anyone confirm that we have no actual obligation to sign?

**A: you are not required by law to sign a lease. But L can terminate your m/m tenancy if he/she prefers fixed lease tenants.

 

[Who's Liable?]

I wouldn't sign on... It does kind of sound like the roommate leaving wants to cover his ass... He cannot force you to sign the lease, and neither can the LL, but the LL can evict you as HomeGuru stated... I would just let things lay as they are... If the roommate threatens you by saying you HAVE to sign, just laugh and walk away... THe only person you should take seriously is the LL...