The apartment was leased in her name only and cosigned by her parents. The only thing my name ended up on is the electric bill as a secondary name b/c I live there. She has threatened me before that if I left she would sue me and make me pay half of the bills even if I wasn't there. Is that possible? The deal was she wanted to move out of her parents house and I could move in with her if I were to help out as much as I could which I have done. I don't make enough to pay much on the rent but I help out by doing alot of other things.
2007-05-23 00:26:38 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
As your name is not on the lease, her landlord could legally terminate the lease entirely if you were living their without their knowledge and permission.
As it electic bill is in both of your names (even if yours is listed as secondary) you both could be held liable for electric bill. A simple phone call (and follow up via a letter confirming the phone conversation to the electric company to prove that you notified them, keeping a copy for your records) to the electic company notifying them on the day you move out (or as soon as possible if you already have moved out) so you would only be liable up to the date you move out.
She can try suing for half of the rent, utilities, etc. during the period of time that you lived with her in Small Claims Court, but unless she has a written agreement, she may have a hard time collecting that. You may be able to successfully argue that it was not your understanding that you would ever have to pay half as you did a lot of other things to help out (and be willing to back it up with any documenation that you can for other items paid for, or witness affidavit for any work you may have done for her, like fix her car, fix meals, do laundry, etc.).
There is no way she can collect for any period where you are/were not living there as you did not a sign a lease with the landlord; however, she and her parents, as they co-signed, will be liable if she defaults on the lease.
2007-05-23 01:51:50 · answer #1 · answered by bottleblondemama 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are not liable for any of the bills or the lease, except for half of the electric bill during the time that your name was on the electric service. Most utility companies will remove your name from the account with just a telephone call, and you should do that immediately, if you haven't already. If you have made any payments toward other costs (rent, other utilities), you can use the receipts or canceled checks from those payments to offset (i.e., as credit toward) the amount she says you owe her for the electric bill. If she wants you to pay half of the electric bill, she should provide you with copies of the bill (or you can get them from the electric company).
Good luck to you.
2007-05-23 00:58:29 · answer #2 · answered by Vicki D 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You have to pay the electricity bill.
And half the rent up till the time you occupied the house.
And any other bills you ran up.
She can't sue you for anything else, after you leave.
[Unless you went halvers on a down payment for a giant Tv or something...]
2007-05-23 00:33:51 · answer #3 · answered by krishna 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
just find out how you can get your name off that bill, go to the electric company, other than that she can'tdo anything to hold you accountable unless your name is on anything else.
2007-05-23 00:36:10 · answer #4 · answered by Angela F 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The only thing you are liable for is the bill that is partially in your name.
2007-05-23 00:30:39 · answer #5 · answered by QueenLori 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
you are liable for anything with your name on it /
2007-05-23 00:31:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋