Joint account question............?

Question

Let's say a tenant rents an apartment with his wife, and they had a joint bank account. However, a couple of years later, the husband can't afford to pay the rental payments. Would the wife be responsible instead? Any sort of help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Answer 1

If both the husband and wife signed the lease, then both are responsible to pay the rent. If only the husband signed the lease, then only he is responsible to pay the rent.

I believe that in community property states, both the husband and wife are responsible to pay if only one signed the lease. But we better get clarification from a lawyer that practices in a community property state. I am not in a community property state.

Whether or not the husband and wife had a joint bank account has nothing to do with it.

Answer 2

Yes, you are jointly and severally responsible. The landlord can go after either party for the rent.