Chosen by Asker

Suck it up and pay December's rent, and then write a letter to your roommates. In this letter, state that you intend to sublease, lay out your reasons for doing so (they've denied your right to quiet enjoyment of the property, and have created what you feel is a hostile living environment [picking your lock, violating your personal space, trying to have the landlord change the locks on you, the threats, the swearing, the harassment], and the date you want this to start (I'd shoot for January 1st). Inform that you have the right to sublease per your lease, and you need them to sign the forms so your replacement can be moved in, and this needs to happen by $date (I'd give 2 weeks), or they need to provide a reasonable alternative. Failing that, you will file against them in small claims court. Get a copy of this letter, and keep it in a safe place. Mail the original certified mail, get a return receipt. Keep that with your copy of the letter. If they refuse, file against all 3 in small claims court and sue for the amount of rent you owe for the remainder of the lease. Take that letter, and receipt with you, along with your copy of the lease, or something from your landlord stating you're allowed to sublease. Chances are, they aren't under legal obligation to let you sublease, and the judge may shoot you down. On the other hand, as a previous responder stated, the idea of being taken to court may knock some sense into them.

by tracy

13 months ago

Asker's Rating: 

WELL, you created this situation and are legally bound by the lease. READ the lease carefully, and see your outs, if any. Get legal advice, first consultation cheap or free. Can you get some arbitration?

by chatsplas- 13 months ago

I would go to court since your landlord agree that it is your right to sublease your room. Your roommates you may be able to sue the other girls as they illegally evicted you thus they maybe liable to the land lord for your share of the rent. Let a Judge clean up the mess

by Steve L- 13 months ago

there isn't a lot you can do. Check your contract and see if there is some sort of clause that covers subleasing and see what it says. You could try taking them to small claims. The threat of small claims court might spur them to find a replacement for you. Also, I'm not sure what state you are in, but where I have lived, if one person didn't pay rent all of them got in trouble. Right now I'm living with my bf, if he didn't pay his half, we would both be in trouble. That si why the lease is signed by everyone. If you just stop paying rent, would the girls have to make up the difference in order to keep staying at that place? I know you would also be someone the landlord might take to court, but if you are going to be stuck paying this anyway, maybe the threat of the girls getting kicked out will spur them into finding a new roommate. Go check your state laws and see what would happen. I know it isn't nice, but I've been burned by renting situations and the fact is you've got to play hardball or just keep paying $200.

by Sara B- 13 months ago