Who's typically obligated to pay it and is there anything the roommate can do about it? We've taken up a collection for him, but is there a more permanent answer?
2006-08-15 12:01:47 · 20 answers · asked by afk 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
This is not a joking matter. I did not write this question to get your opinion on how much I do or do not care for my friend. Anyone not specifically answering this question will be flagged.
2006-08-15 12:47:01 · update #1
There are some charities that specialize in assistance with rent issues. if his roommate has died, I'm sure they will do what they can to give him some help covering the other half. This may only help for a month or two. That should be enough time for him to find a new roommmate (at least at a discount rate?). I think St Vincent DePaul might be able to help. Google rent assistance... and some charities should show up. I had to use them in the past and they saved my butt (and I didn't have a roommate die...so i think they should be able to help you or your friend).
Good Luck
2006-08-15 12:14:47 · answer #1 · answered by the_thoughtless_ponderer 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sean's right. As co-tennants, assuming both names were on the lease, both are jointly and severally liable under the obligations of the lease. With the death of one party, the other becomes the sole member responsible for the terms of the agreement...thus is responsible for getting the entire portion of the rent paid.
One could certianly assert that the estate would be responsible for 1/2 the rent, but that can be a complicated situation to resolve and it's likely that the landlord wouldn't have the patience to wait until the estate is settled to get 1/2 the owed rent.
Hopefully the land-lord can cut the roommate a break...but s/he is under no legal obligation to do so.
My sympathies for your loss.....
2006-08-15 12:09:43 · answer #2 · answered by Silver 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry for the loss of your friend.
The best thing you can do is talk to the landlord and ask them to extend you some grace for extenuating circumstances. At the very least, they should -- though they are in no way obligated -- waive late fees as long as you have the rent paid by a certain date.
If the manager does agree to waive late fees and accept late rent, make sure you pay it with a letter in writing for your file that says something like, "Dear _______________, Further to our conversation of 16th August wherein you agreed to waive late fees for September rent due to my roommate's untimely death, enclosed is Money Order number ******** for rent paid in full for the month of September. Thank you so much for your grace and understanding; I hope to have the issue of a new roommate resolved very quickly. Please add this letter to my rentor's file. Best Regards, ____________."
If you don't have the letter as proof that an agreement was made, later on if a new manager comes on board, they can use the late payment of rent against you, so make sure you keep a copy for your files too.
Good luck, and again, I'm sorry for the loss of your friend.
2006-08-15 12:15:53 · answer #3 · answered by Rebecca 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Strange how life can go...sorry for the way has worked out.
My friend lost her brother recently aged 23.
I guess contact the Landlord a.s.a.p and hope you come to an arrangement until someone else takes the room on/agree to help find someone else for the room. As a landlord if they are not understanding maybe there is a clause in your agreement and go somewhere else.
Help with that and offer your support in a difficult situation.
Let the room to someone else as soon as can find someone.
Then you have Citizen's Advice I guess. Don't really know much more than that. They will be able to advise on forms and stuff and where to go.
If it were me, I'd try the landlord and if he was unhelpful, I'd look into terminating my contract and going elsewhere. But it isn't always as easy as is to say.
Get agreements in writing.
2006-08-15 13:19:00 · answer #4 · answered by The Mole 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whoever is on the lease is responsible for the rent...if it was the deceased, then technically anyone else living there could be evicted (probably) unless a new lease was signed...
The current resident may need to find a new roommate to help with rent if it's more than he can handle...landlord's typically aren't going to have a lot of mercy in these situations...
2006-08-15 12:09:10 · answer #5 · answered by . 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well Joe, the roomate's situation is not as unfortunate as your friends. I am sorry for your loss. The situation is as unfortunate for the roomate as it for many people who loose half their income. If the bills don't get paid, there will be an eviction. Tax paying programs do not, should not, bear the burden of paying rent for people.
The landlord, may understand the situation and delay payment until a new roomate can be found. The lost revenue of the owner could be paid back over a period of time.
2006-08-15 12:15:02 · answer #6 · answered by James H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The answer is, unfortunately, nothing. If the landlord is a good human being maybe half the rent can be waived, but the two roommates were co-tenants, and once one tenant dies, the survivor "inherits" all responsibilities in the lease. That is assuming, of course, that both their names were on the lease.
Sorry to hear about this, and good luck!
2006-08-15 12:05:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Should you're first thought be paying the rent. That seems really cold hearted. Shouldn't you be more concerned about the loss. The roommate will have to pay the rent. But from the sounds of it you will probably ask the family during the funeral for the rent. Really low.
2006-08-15 12:10:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'm sorry to hear that. the only thing is to say is life goes on and it may be a horrible thing to say but he should start advertising for a new flat mate.
Again I know what I said sounds a bit blunt but I hope it helps. Again I'm sorry to hear that your friend has died and I hope all goes well for you in the future.
2006-08-15 12:22:29 · answer #9 · answered by triffytraff 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps finding a new roommate is the only way for a more perminant solution.
2006-08-15 12:05:06 · answer #10 · answered by IMHO 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋