Name on Lease, but never signed it...

[yagi]

What is the name of your state?
Washington

When I moved into my apartment myself, my girlfriend and a roommate signed a 1yr lease. However when the lease was up (Dec '04) my roommate took it upon himself to sign a 6-month lease that ends in June '06.

Now here is where my problem is. My roommate decided to take off. I can pay this month (May) but I will have a difficult time paying next month. So I went down to the rental office and told them what happened and ask if I could give my 30 day notice at the beginning of May. They told me since our names (my girlfriend and I) were on the lease we couldn't leave eventhough we hadn't signed anything.

So basically my question is, what would happen if I just left at the end of May? I sort of hinted at it in the rental office and there response was, "You can risk it since we would send it to a collection agency". Basically their response didn't help me determine if they could go after me or my girlfriend for their money.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. And if there is any other information that I can provide that will help let me know.

 

[ENASNI]

oy

This is touchy.
The first lease what did it say about renewing itself?
You said the roommate took it upon himself to sign another 6 month lease?
I am wondering if this superseded the other or if was extending your old lease?

 

[yagi]

This is touchy.
The first lease what did it say about renewing itself?
You said the roommate took it upon himself to sign another 6 month lease?
I am wondering if this superseded the other or if was extending your old lease?

Actually, I remembered that when I originally signed the lease it was just me and my girlfriend. The roommate was added onto our lease later.

On top of that, I remember the lease ending a little earlier than Dec '04 and us paying month to month for a month or two. Then the office sent a letter in the mail (which was opened by my roommate) stating that we either sign a lease or tell them we want to go month to month, and that is when my roommate signed the new lease.

But as for what the old lease says about renewing itself, I don't know since I can't currently find it. I am looking for it right now and when I find it I will post what it says.

 

[ENASNI]

otay

good you do that...

 

[Who's Liable?]

Check your lease VERY carefully... If there is a clause in there stating that the lease will renew itsef, then you are bound to it...

If however what you are saying is true that your roommate took it upon himself to sign the lease and he did so. Then he is the one with the problem as he is breaking the lease by leaving early. The LL CANNOT hold both you two to the terms of the lease because your names are not on it! Ask the LL for the terms and proof of your signatures. If they say no, demand it in writing and inform them that you will be filing a police report on a forged signature and possibly identitiy theft, if indeed your names are on the leases but not in your handwriting...

If you did not sign a new lease, then it is upon the LL to have you sign a new lease or continue with a month-to-month tenanct.

 

[yagi]

This is what my lease says:

The above stated initial term shall automatically revert to a month-to-month tenancy unless, 20 days or more prior to the final date of the initial lease above, the Resident gives the Owner written notice of the Resident's intent to vacate the rental unit. If no such written notice is given, a month-to-month fee in the amount of $25 will be due in addition to the below stated monthly rental rate while Resident continues on a month-to-month.


Also I got a copy of the lease my roommate signed. My girlfriend and my name are on it as residents but only my roommates signature is on it. So if I wanted to leave at the end of this month would it be safe for me and my girlfriend to do so? If so, what would be the best way to go about it? Should I just give my 30-day notice or should I go to the office and talk to them?

Thanks to everyone who is helping me out.

 

[longneck]

Should I just give my 30-day notice or should I go to the office and talk to them?

I vote for giving notice. They will probably call you in to the office anyway.

 

[ENASNI]

Well

Methinks you are month to month... Give a 30 day written notice, go to the office get them to sign a copy, so you know they received it. Your roommate is the one that should be screwed over.
Sounds like the office knows that you are out of the lease, but want somebody to pay so they are threatening you.

If I am wrong.. someone will come behind me and call me a ninny... or something worse.

 

[Who's Liable?]

This is what my lease says:

The above stated initial term shall automatically revert to a month-to-month tenancy unless, 20 days or more prior to the final date of the initial lease above, the Resident gives the Owner written notice of the Resident's intent to vacate the rental unit. If no such written notice is given, a month-to-month fee in the amount of $25 will be due in addition to the below stated monthly rental rate while Resident continues on a month-to-month.


Also I got a copy of the lease my roommate signed. My girlfriend and my name are on it as residents but only my roommates signature is on it. So if I wanted to leave at the end of this month would it be safe for me and my girlfriend to do so? If so, what would be the best way to go about it? Should I just give my 30-day notice or should I go to the office and talk to them?

Thanks to everyone who is helping me out.

You MUST give them the proper 30-days written notice of your intent to vacate the property, and it must be delivered on or before the rental due date 30-days before the day you want to move out. In other words, if you want to move out July 1, you MUST give the LL your intent to vacate ON OR BEFORE June 1.
If they give you crap, demand the lease where it clearly shows your signature...

 

[ENASNI]

Oy

I may just be in a bad mood or something because of all the idiots that are posting threads. But Who's Liable... I try not to post the same information that someone has already given. Its just like a double poster.
Add on info but don't just come on the board and say what has been said. Its annoying. If You think I am trying to start a fight with you, I am not. Its just that you do IT ALL THE TIME!
You have good information most of the time... when you are not saying something like... well if it is legal go ahead... That is what they are ASKING.

Stop trying to hear yourself talk... you are a giver of good advice.. you just plug up the threads with "Ditto" and I think I am watching Swayze on Ghost or something....

We are all guilty of a breach of etiquette... but if you want to come back and retaliate against me... careful... I have a sharp tongue... OR I may accuse you if flirting.

 

[ill_iterate]

Call an attorney...

 

[Who's Liable?]

I may just be in a bad mood or something because of all the idiots that are posting threads. But Who's Liable... I try not to post the same information that someone has already given. Its just like a double poster.
Add on info but don't just come on the board and say what has been said. Its annoying. If You think I am trying to start a fight with you, I am not. Its just that you do IT ALL THE TIME!
You have good information most of the time... when you are not saying something like... well if it is legal go ahead... That is what they are ASKING.

Stop trying to hear yourself talk... you are a giver of good advice.. you just plug up the threads with "Ditto" and I think I am watching Swayze on Ghost or something....

We are all guilty of a breach of etiquette... but if you want to come back and retaliate against me... careful... I have a sharp tongue... OR I may accuse you if flirting.

Please... we ALL do it...

If you don't want to read it, simply skip it, my feelings won't be hurt...

 

[ENASNI]

Please... we ALL do it...

If you don't want to read it, simply skip it, my feelings won't be hurt...

Are you flirting with me?