Last year I signed a lease to help 3 of my friends. They moved into a 4 bedroom apartment and per stipulations from the property management, it required 4 lesees or else they would have to move into a smaller place, which the complex didn't have. I signed, but I repeatedly emphasized that I could NOT afford to move in. I was told not to worry, I was just a signature to help them keep their place. They said that they would pay in cash, or if I happened to be around (it wasn't often), they'd give me the cash so I could write a check. Either way it would be taken care of. I thought everything was okay, as they are responsible people. Then a few months later "I" was served with an eviction notice because "my" rent wasn't paid. I have a collections agency after me for $1000 debt that I wasn't supposed to have. I didn't know what to do then, and my 30 day window for dispute is gone. Now, I'm being told that there could be legal action involved, and possible garnishment. How can I fix this?
2006-11-06 09:44:48 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
I live in the U.S. in the State of Georgia. I wasn't told by the property owner, but by my friends. I've realized now, albeit too late, that I shouldn't have trusted them with this. I just don't want to have to pay this full amount as I really don't feel that I've done anything wrong. I was really hoping that the law would take consideration for the fact that I was helping out a friend in need, as that's the way I was taught to be. I didn't realize doing something nice like this would have negative repercussions. I should have taken more precaution, and now I'm possibly going to be sued or have my wages garnished. Plus since my wages could be garnished, I could be fired from my employer (it's in the employee rules) or lose my car that I won't be able to afford due to having money taken from me every month. Thanks for your help.
2006-11-07 14:06:00 · update #1
You can't; you're stuck. Your signature on the lease is an agreement to pay the rent along with the other people who signed, regardless of what your agreement was with the other three. The best you could do is to sue them for the money that you have to pay. Even then, it's not likely that you'll get it all back; you will most likely only get them to pay 75% and you get stuck with 25%. Your agreement that you will not be financially responsible for the apartment is not likely to be upheld in court as this was an agreement to defraud your landlord and courts never uphold illegal or fraudulent contracts.
Chalk this up as an expensive lesson and be careful what you sign in the future.
2006-11-06 09:58:57 · answer #1 · answered by julz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When asking a question on a legal issue like this, it would be good if you state what country you're in. It seems like you're bound into a contract and in the contract, you have signed your name as the main lesee/tenant. Honest opinion from me, you're a bit screwed. Try to negotiate repayment to avoid court. You must understand your legal position first before you go to court. If you doubt you can win, negotiate a settlement. If you have to go to court, I don't think you can defent yourself in court, you need a lawyer. What you need to do is prove that you just rent the property, however you're not a tenant. Prove that your three friends have been living in the property, without you. Get the one who told you that you were just a signature to witness in court. He/she can't lie under oat, or else it would be a breach of law. Naturally, people would assume that you didn't have to take responsibility after being told that, unless they deliberately tried to not disclose any legal aspects related to the signed paper to take advantage of you who didn't know anything about legal matters. If you didn't understand the paper, when you asked, the should have explained to you thouroughly what the paper was, what it could do; not a simple "don't worry, you're just a signature" phrase. You need to talk to someone who knows about legal to discuss this matter. Good luck.
Are electricity, gas and telephone bills under your name, too? I hope you learn something from this experience, get new friends.
2006-11-06 10:25:47 · answer #2 · answered by Dav 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
At this time, unfortunately, you have contracted a debt. However, the others who signed the lease are equally responsible. There is no way to undo this, except to pay your portion of that debt. When you signed your name, you became part of the contract. Whatever arrearages are owed, they are owed by all who signed that lease.
2006-11-06 09:55:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
More than likely yer screwed, you signed the lease and are under contract doesnt matter if you were just being helpful. Find some new freinds.
2006-11-06 09:49:04 · answer #4 · answered by t b 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As far as the aprtment, you are stuck paying that bill. You signed a binding contract.
Just try to get the $$ back from your 'friends'. If they won't pay, take them to small claims court.
2006-11-06 09:53:43 · answer #5 · answered by texas_boone 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can not fix this. You signed a legal document. I hope you learned a lesson.
2006-11-09 17:07:26 · answer #6 · answered by luciousgreeneyedlady 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋