Roomate/Security Deposit Issues...PLEASE HELP!!

[millertime8]

I live in Arizona...here is my problem (I'll try to be as brief as possible).

I recently moved out of an apartment where I had three roommates (four of us living in the unit). Upon moving out, we were hit with a $4,000 balance for the damages to the unit (don't ask me how we messed it up that much, but we did).

My roommates and I agreed to split the charges into quarters, with each of us owing $1,000. One of my roommates and I are ready to pay our portions in full and be done with it, but our other two roommates don't want to pay, saying they disagree with the charges.

Unfortunately, we didn't sign separate lease agreements and we're all on one lease, so we are responsible for the damages as a whole. Our landlord is not willing to accept partial payment and release my (and my roommate's) liability for the remaining balance, even though it is not "our portion."

I have explained our situation to our landlord and she understands that we're stuck, but she said she can't release our liability. She explained that if we don't pay, the balance will be sent to collections and eventually our wages will be garnished.

Does anyone have ANY suggestions for my roommate and I, who are willing to pay our "portion" but we don't want to get stuck with the entire bill?!?

Thanks!!

 

[Gail in Georgia]

If your landlord won't break down the damages...and the other roommates won't pay...and you are concerned about the impact on your future credit rating if sued/turned over to a collection agency then the logical route would be for you and the other roommate to pay the entire damage and then turn around and sue the other 2 roommates for their portion.

Gail

 

[FarmerJ]

If you and the one other roomate are going to pay off the LLs damage bills then by all means ask the LL for copies of the proofs regarding the damage and the two of you sit down and attempt to either figure out a more defined breakdown OR if you want to stay with the original 4 way split and go to the clerk of the court and file small claims and sue the other two using the copies of the proof of the damage and let the court decide.