Should I give my roomates the money (and probably get scammed) or use my deposit for rent?

Question

I met my roomates on an apartment referral site and they suck. They are messy and annoying. So, I am moving out after living with them for 4 months (it was a month to month arrangement). I gave them 45 days notice and it was agreed that I would use my deposit as last month's rent.
Now, my move date is 2 weeks away and they want me to pay last month's rent. They said they will give me the deposit at the end of the month. But, if it was already agreed on, I don't think I'm being out of line by telling them I'm not going to give them the money. If they don't have the money now, they aren't going to have it in three weeks... I don't want to get screwed out of $600. Am I right??
I am just afraid they might try something... Like stealing my stuff.

Answer 1

If it was already agreed, I don't see why they should be allowed to go back on it. Buy yourself some time, tell them you wasn't expecting to have to pay it, you've had to invest in a new place and therefore it will take some time to come up with it. Meanwhile, see if you can move your most precious valuables elsewhere for the last two weeks.

If nothing else, the law should be on your side. If they take your stuff, ask them to give it back or call in the cops. Stay firm and don't let them bully you.

Or you could give them the money, but tell them they'll need to sign a form stating they'll pay it back within so many days. Tell them they'll have to sign it in front of a notary, usually free at your local bank. My bet is, they won't like it to be too official :)

Answer 2

Make sure you have notified the landlord that you are moving out, so that the landlord can't come after you for past due rent, or damages that occur after you leave.

In a perfect world, you should pay the last month's rent and get the deposit back later. Since you have already had problems with them and are concerned about them stealing or damaging your belongings - I would get out of there as fast as possible, and not pay them another dime.

Answer 3

Take pictures of all of your items and if it's a tv or something, get the serial #s off of it and stencil in your name. Do you have the money to rent a storage unit for a couple of weeks? If so, put your items in there. Do you have anything in writing? If you do, make copies and give them one, not the original. Sounds like they don't have enough to pay their rent and they are looking at you to bail them out. But, if you were living there, you are responsible to pay them the rent you owe them. Who has your deposit now? Did you damage the place in any way? If so, that may be why they want to keep the deposit, plus get the rent money.

Answer 4

I don't blame you for being worried. I'd tell them that you'll pay last months rent after you've moved out and you're confident that there will be no problems with the move. Then I'd stiff them. This way you're not out the $600 and they don't steal your stuff. In addition, they have an incentive to be good to you until you pay last months rent.

Answer 5

In the longer term, provide your roommate a licensed assess for the hire every month. That method, the cash comes from your account while the financial institution cuts the assess instead than sitting round looking ahead to your roommate. You will even have a receipt that proves you gave your roommate that cash if there's ever a dispute.

Answer 6

CAN YOU PUT YOUR STUFF IN A STORAGE LOCKER! If not get a camera and take pictures of it. Record the serial numbers of valuables and email them to a friend
Protect yourself.
If something is missing call the police!
DO NOT give them any more money.
you agreed to something already.
THey will NOT give you the money later
and you already know this

Answer 7

Say nah, it'll be easier for you to just take my deposit. That way, they don't have to try to get a hold of you after you move out. Just approach it like that. If they don't like that, get a storage unit and start moving your stuff out so nothing happens to it.