responsible for joint lease

[woodensailor]

I signed a one year lease for an apt with my girlfriend in TN. We missed a payment the 3rd month that we lived there and got an eviction notice. Since we have moved out my girlfriend and I have split up. I am trying to pay off the bills that we had together as she is paying nothing. I am having a hard time as I make min wage and am raising our baby. I contacted the realty company that rented us the apt and offered to pay them $100 a month as that is all I could come up with. They told me in order to do that I would have to sign a new contract and I would be responsible for the whole amount which included the past due rent and fees for breaking the lease. the total amount would be 1400. I asked them if I could pay half since my ex girlfriends name is also on the lease. They told me I have to sign a new contract or they will take me to court and I will have to pay 1400 plus court cost and their attorney fees. The whole thing would be due immediately. Can they do this since both of our names is on the lease and is she responsible for any of this bill. thanks

 

[Attorney_Replogle]

I am not following your story. Are you asking if the former landlord can require you to sign a new agreement for paying the lease amount back? Yes they can. If you can negotiate it so that the payments are affordable and that you pay a lesser amount, then go for it. The hard part is going to be to have them accept a lesser amount. Is your ex-girlfriend working? If so, then you can tell the apt. landlord where to find her so they can get her to pay her fair share.

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Mark B. Replogle

 

[Advisor3]

Since you are both on the lease you are both individually responsible for the entire amount. If you sign the new agreemnet, you should have her sign as well, or you may be making yourself the chief (or sole) sourve of the repayment, when it should be both of you, just like the lease!