i share a flat w/ 1 guy, but he's moving out b4 the rental contract expires. he's basically breaking contract

Question

he asked landlord for his part of the deposite back, but she wouldnt give him back. so he turned to me and asked me to give him his part at the end of the year when i get it back. does that sound fair?! i mean...he just lived and took all the benefits and ran away now i have to pretty much pay this 2-ppl flat all by myself...i rent this big flat originally for 2 ppl, now i have no flatmate but a load of dough to pay! what are the penalties and consequences of breach a contract?

Answer 1

Basically you signed a contract to rent a flat. Your landlord is in her rights to not give his part of the deposit back.

However, your friend is still responsible for his half of the rent. You also must continue to pay the rent unless you can get the landlord to agree to a change. If you end up paying both your half and his half then you can go after him for the money he should be paying. If he continues to pay the rent owed then he would be allowed to get his portion of the deposit back. If he does not you would be allowed to take that out of the money he owes you for his part of the rent.

Answer 2

If his name is on the contract, he owes the rent for the entire period of the contract. If your deal with him was halves, then he still owes for the entire period of the contract. If he doesn't pay it, he doesn't get the deposit.

From the landlord's perspective, if your roommate doesn't pay his half, you owe all of it or face eviction. Your contract probably says the rent is owed by both or either.

Answer 3

Depends on how the lease is set up. Are you the lessee and he sublets from you, or are you both on the lease for half the rent, or are each of you individually liable for the entire rent.
If you are liable for half the rent , pay your half and let the landlord sue him for his half. If you are liable for the entire rent, you sue him for his half.

Small claims court

Answer 4

take him to court