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A question about rental contracts

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I

In Florida

Guest
I live in Florida.

I was going to move in with a friend.

I told my friend I would move in, so they signed a rental agreement, and moved in before me.

My plans changed, and I decided not to move.

I told them I would pay my half until they found someone to sublease.

Its been about three months since my friend was to start looking, I live in another town, so its hard to see what's being done by my friend to find someone to sublease.

I can't afford to keep paying the $550.00 rent for a place I don't even live in.

I'm trying to be nice, but I'm also afraid of being somehow binded by some verbal contract between us.

Am I responsible for half the rent, even though I never signed the rental agreement?
 


T

Tracey

Guest
You aren't responsible to the landlord.

You don't owe your friend money unless s/he can prove that it was reasonable to rely on your stated intentions and to sign a lease that s/he couldn't afford without you there. Also, 3 months is quite long enough for your friend to find an alternate roommate. Tell friend that this is the last month you'll pay rent. Then cross him/her off your Xmas list, 'cause s/he won't ever speak to you again.



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This is not legal advice and you are not my client. Double check everything with your own attorney and your state's laws.
 
I

In Florida

Guest
well, before she moved into this place, she asked me if I was sure I'm moving down, because it was $1,100.00, and she needed to know for sure. I told her I would move down, before I changed mind. My half would be $550.00 each month.

She a law student (naturally), and is telling me her professors say she can sue me and garnish my wages...is she right?
 

I AM ALWAYS LIABLE

Senior Member
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by In Florida:
well, before she moved into this place, she asked me if I was sure I'm moving down, because it was $1,100.00, and she needed to know for sure. I told her I would move down, before I changed mind. My half would be $550.00 each month.

She a law student (naturally), and is telling me her professors say she can sue me and garnish my wages...is she right?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

My response:

No. They are wrong. What she probably failed to tell her professor was the fact concerning how much time has passed, and the fact that she has failed, and continues to fail, to mitigate her damages. 3 months is plenty of time. How long is this supposed to go on? Forever? Or until she graduates? No, my friend. She's had plenty of time, and she'd be hardpressed to prove to a judge that you owe her any more money. It's over, stop the checks. If she feels she has grounds for a lawsuit, let her. You are not her cash cow. Tell her to advertise for a roommate, but the money stops right now.

IAAL



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