My roommate is going on tour with his band for about a month and a half. He's done this before and in the past, and that time, I had agreed to charge him half the rent while he was away and nothing for utilities because he wouldn't be using them (obviously). This year, I have a LOT less money and I cannot afford to cover any of his rent while he is away. I'm angry because I don't ever have enough money to go on vacation and now I feel like I now have to pay for his. The easy solution to this would be to find someone to sublet his bedroom for the time he is away so that someone else can pay his rent. The problem is he's an idiot and I do NOT trust him at all to find a decent person to live with me while he's away. I also do not feel like it's my responsibility to find someone to sublet his room for him. My question is, is it now my responsibility to find someone to cover his rent because I do not trust him to do it himself?
2007-01-06 09:50:24 · 17 answers · asked by Pico 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Does he have to pay his rent while he's away because I will not allow him to sublet his room? Am I being unfair by doing this? I'm on the lease, he's not.
2007-01-06 09:51:35 · update #1
I know I'm ultimately responsible when it comes to paying the landlord. I just don't know if I have the 'right' to demand that my roommate pay his rent while he's on vacation. Seems like I should be able to do that to him but I'm still afraid I'm being a jerk to him somehow.
2007-01-06 09:59:03 · update #2
I did call him an idiot but he pays the rent/bills on time for the most part, he's not a drug addict, he spends 6 nights a week at his girlfriends house and he puts up with my 5 cats! He's not too bright but he's easy to live with!
2007-01-07 14:51:32 · update #3
i agree that freeing him of his responsibility of the utilities while he's not there is fair. however, are his things still going to be there? is one of the bedrooms still occupied by all of his belongings? you can't use that room for anyone else, so you can't move anyone new in, so he is still responsible for his normal share of the rent. even if there is a possibility of someone else moving into the room, if no one needs the room, its on him to make sure that room is paid for! if he can't deal with that, he needs to live in a trailor that he can take around with him while he's "touring". ha!
LEGALLY he is not required to supply any part of the rent if he is not on the lease, but leaseholder or not MORALLY he should expect to still need to pay. you're not running a rent-by-the-hour motel
in response to your additional details: if you'll feel like a jerk for demanding rent, don't. demand a "storage fee" for all of his ****!! :D it's either he pays the money or you take the crap to Goodwill and tell him not to come back!
2007-01-06 09:55:58 · answer #1 · answered by ~ Mi$fitPrin¢ess ~ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2016-07-19 02:20:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He should still pay the rent but not the utilities. If he plans on coming back then he still needs to pay. I have an apartment and if I told my landlady that I am not paying for the month I am on vacation I can guarantee I would be evicted. Subletting the room isn't a good option because you don't know who it will be. I'm with you one this one. If he doesn't like it maybe he needs to find another place. From your side it seems like he is trying to take advantage.
2007-01-06 09:56:36 · answer #3 · answered by ladyfatale01 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you both are on the lease then HE is still responsible for his rent when he is gone. If you lived alone would you not have to pay your rent for the time you are gone?
If he isn't on the lease he should still pay his FULL share of rent while he is gone. NONE payment of rent can get a person evicted.
Just because you leave for a month or so doesn't mean you can get out of paying rent, at least not if you want a place to return to.
2007-01-06 10:19:01 · answer #4 · answered by trollwzrd 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are the only one on the lease, then you are entirely responsible for the rent. If you had him sign a type of lease/agreement between the two of you, then he is responsible for his portion of rent as agreed. If he doesn't pay, then you will probably have to take him to small claims court. If there is NO stipulation in either your lease or your agreement with him, then it is possible he can sublet, weather you like it or not.
steadfast1
2007-01-06 10:04:49 · answer #5 · answered by Steadfast † One 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you're on the lease, YOU have to be responsible for the sublet (if it's even allowed) and YOU are ultimately responsible for the rent.
Get what you can out of him...I got totally screwed on a deal like this with one of my roommates because she never signed the lease but the landlady let her move in anyway (I wasn't there and I can't believe the landlady ***** let her move in without signing the lease.) It sucks...but it's YOUR responsibility and you better protect yourself!
2007-01-06 09:55:11 · answer #6 · answered by SlowClap 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If he is leaving his stuff behind, and you are not able to sublet his space because of that, then he should pay all of his share of rent and utilities.
If he rented on his own, he would have to pay, even if he's not there to use the space.
2007-01-07 03:43:39 · answer #7 · answered by ramman 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Morally, he is responsible for all the rent while he is away. Legally, I think he is too, but you would have to double check with your local authorities.
Also, I agree with you that you shouldn't allow him to sublet to just anyone-you should approve his choice.
2007-01-06 10:33:04 · answer #8 · answered by Sandy Lou 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if he not on the lease he can move out and leave u with all the rent but if he wants to live with u when he gets back tell him he will have to pay all the rent or move his stuff out and put it somewhere else because u will be renting the room out.
2007-01-06 10:04:38 · answer #9 · answered by hahn1998us 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I go out of town, my mortgage company still expects to get paid. Your roommate owes you the money. Do you have a rental agreement? If so, it should be spelled out in that.
I wouldn't have someone sublet, but thats me.
Remember, your roommate is out earning money, his absence shouldn't be costing you money.
Sometimes you have to be a hard-***.
2007-01-06 12:18:40 · answer #10 · answered by I_Love_Life! 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋