what can you do if your roommate moves out

What To Do If Your Roommate Suddenly Moves Out

• Make it Official. If your roommate moves, the first thing you should do is get him or her off the lease. Leaving your...
• Review the Rental Agreement. If you have a co-tenant on the lease, your landlord might decide to evict you once your...
• Examine the Type of Lease. If you have a monthly lease, you have some leeway...

Full Answer

How do I Ask my roommate to move out?

The direct approach is the healthiest approach. Tell your roommate exactly why you don't think you'll be able to continue living with them. Remember that asking someone to move out is a big deal and be respectful when answering questions your roommate will probably have.

What should I do if I feel unsafe around my roommate?

If you feel unsafe around your roommate (for example, they are violent or stealing from you) get yourself out immediately. Stay with a friend or family member until you can figure out your next steps. Thanks! This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff.

What should I do if my roommate leaves the House?

If your roommate gives you notice of a planned departure, or if you're still on good terms, try to enter into a written agreement about how your living arrangements will end. For example, an agreement might state that the departing roommate:

How do I get my roommate to stop talking to me?

Steps When talking on the phone try screaming in a high pitched voice; this works very well during the early morning hours. Invite friends over that your roommate hates. Turn your music up full blast anytime you listen to it. Have frequent make out sessions with your partner on the living-room couch. Eat all your roommate's food.

What do you say when your roommate moves out?

Clearly, it's easier to kindly explain to someone that you're moving out to relocate for work or start living with a partner. However, you can still be kind even if roommate problems are why you're leaving. Framing your reasons as I statements and separating the problems from your old roommate's character can help.

Do you have to tell your roommate you're moving out?

You need to give ample notice of leaving the apartment. The norm is to give a 30-day warning in order to best prepare for filling the vacancy, but more on that later. In addition, make sure not to discuss moving out with any mutual friends before you tell your roommate. No one wants additional drama.

How much notice should I give my roommate before moving out?

Even though the roommate isn't an official tenant, you should give at least the same amount of notice required to end a month-to-month tenancy. In most states, the notice period is 30 days.

How do you end a relationship with a roommate?

Check out some polite ways and handy tips to tell your roommate to move out and ask them to leave.Think it through. ... Consider the timing and place. ... Be calm and direct. ... Take responsibility and avoid accusations. ... Split things fairly. ... Manage your stuff. ... Don't forget your lease. ... Keep in touch.

How do you tell a roommate you don't want to live with them anymore?

The best time to tell them is as soon as possible If someone asks you, just say 'I'll think about it. ' If you have said yes too quickly, do be honest." So instead of putting it off, you should just tell as soon as you can and that way, they have a chance to explore other options too.

How do you annoy your roommate to move out?

100 Ways to Annoy Your RoommateInsist that you are a vegetarian and protest anytime your roommate eats meat. ... Get some hair. ... Every time your roommate walks in yell, "Hooray! ... Trash your room when your roommate's not around. ... Every time you see your roommate yell, "You son of a..." and kick them in the stomach.More items...

Do you pay rent the month you move out?

Answer: When a lease for a fixed term comes to an end, your obligation is to pay only the days that you continue to have the right to occupy the unit. Usually the landlord will prorate the rent for the days by calculating a daily rate.

How do you kick someone out of your house?

Legally Removing People. Send a certified letter asking them to leave in 30 days or less. While a house guest is not technically a tenant, certain tenant-landlord laws still apply to the relationship if they've been with your for more than 30 days. Talk to an attorney who will help you draft and send an eviction notice ...

What to Do If You Want to Stay

The unauthorized departure of a co-tenant gives the landlord the option of evicting the rest of you, even if you are able to pay the full rent. The...

How to Deal With A Departing Roommate

Remaining roommates need to cover their legal flanks with respect to the departed tenant as well as the landlord. If your housemate has left during...

What to Do If You Want to Move Out, Too

If your co-tenant skips out, leaving you in the lurch, you may decide that it's not worth the hassle of trying to stay and rustle up another roomma...

What to do if your ex-roommate is still in town?

On the other hand, if your ex-roommate is still in town and has a source of income, consider taking the time to sue in small claims court for unpaid rent, damage to the rental unit, unpaid utilities, and your costs to find a replacement cotenant, such as advertising.

What to do when a roommate moves out before a lease expires?

When a roommate moves out before the lease expires, the remaining tenants have some options about the future of their tenancy, but they must act quickly. Before they take any action, the remaining tenants need to answer the following questions:

What happens if a cotenant skips out?

If your cotenant skips out, you might decide that you'd rather leave than try to cover rent on your own or find a new roommate. Even though your roommate might be out of the picture, it's in your best interest to keep up your end of the lease or rental agreement.

How long does a roommate have to pay rent?

Will pay a stated amount of rent and utilities. If you rent under a written rental agreement, this will normally be rent and utilities for 30 days from the date the roommate gave written notice (or left without notice), unless a new roommate comes in earlier and covers these costs.

What to do when a roommate leaves early?

When a roommate leaves early, you should take measures to protect your rights and interests. For instance, you'll want to do what you can to recover unpaid rent or pay for damage the former roommate left behind.

What happens if a roommate takes off?

If a roommate takes off and leaves you responsible for paying the entire rent, you might be tempted to simply move in another roommate, bypassing the landlord's application process. Don't! Your lease or rental agreement probably prohibits unauthorized assignments or subleases.

How long do you have to give notice to terminate a rental agreement?

If you have a month-to-month rental agreement: As soon as possible, give your landlord the required amount of written notice (usually 30 days) to terminate. Don't wait until you can't pay the next month's rent.

What to do if your roommate leaves you?

If your former roommate leaves you with the responsibility of choosing their replacement, start looking as soon as possible. Before you start looking, though, think about what you want in a roommate. This will help you narrow down the list of people you can ask. For example, if you are allergic to cats or dogs, you will want a roommate who does not have a cat or a dog, and this will narrow down the list of potential roommates.

How to replace a roommate who broke the lease early?

When a roommate breaks the lease early, it is generally the responsibility of the departing roommate to find their replacement. Please don’t make the remaining roommates find your replacement. Instead, you should make the effort to find someone suitable. Find someone who can pay the rent on time, will get along with the other roommates, and will not trash the place. Once you find someone, introduce them to the remaining roommates and to the landlord. Let the landlord know this person will be taking your place. If you do not let the landlord know about your replacement, it could be considered an unauthorized sublet, which is prohibited by most rental contracts. Don’t let yourself get into any more trouble… just let your landlord know who is replacing you!

Make it Official

If your roommate moves, the first thing you should do is get him or her off the lease. Leaving your roommate on the lease might appear like a good idea because it holds her or him responsible for the rent even after moving out.

Review the Rental Agreement

If you have a co-tenant on the lease, your landlord might decide to evict you once your roommate leaves. That’s because when one of the co-tenants moves, you’ve technically broken your rental agreement. Nevertheless, if you’ve been a good renter, that probably won’t happen.

Examine the Type of Lease

If you have a monthly lease, you have some leeway concerning how to proceed. In this instance, your roommate is still liable for their share of rental payment throughout the end of the agreement even if he or she hasn’t informed the landlord.

Final Thoughts

A roommate leaving before the lease is up could make things awkward, but it doesn’t have to be the case. You can adopt these measures to handle the situation effectively.

What are the responsibilities of a roommate?

Roommate's Responsibilities. Having roommates can create a whole new level of financial liability for you. This is especially true when your roommate moves out. Generally speaking, the roommate who wants to move out is responsible for giving the landlord proper notice. The roommate must also pay rent through the end of the notice period, ...

How to get landlord approval for a roommate?

The proper way to do this is to obtain your landlord’s approval and go through the application process. In most cases, your lease will have a clause against subleasing.

What is roommate share?

Roommate’s share of rent and utilities for the notice period. Payment of property damage. Payment of any rent remaining, if subleasee is not found or unable to pay. And whether you want the roommate to give up any rights as a tenant.

What to do if you are having issues with eviction?

If you are having issues with eviction or a non-paying departing roommate or subleasee, please contact a landlord tenant attorney. He will advocate for you and help you resolve your potentially costly matter.

How much notice do you need to give to move out?

What If You Want to Move Out as Well. If you want to move out as well, you will need to give your landlord the proper 30-days notice. Like your departing roommate, you will be responsible for your share of the remaining rent.

Can you stay in a unit after your roommate moves out?

Your ability to stay in the unit after your roommate moves out really depends on your financial and living situation. Though your roommate leaving may give rise to the landlord evicting you even if you can afford the rent, the landlord should consider other factors.

Can a landlord evict you if your roommate leaves?

Your landlord has the option to evict you when your roommate leaves because both of you are breaking the terms of the lease. Generally, whether your roommate will evict you depends on whether: You are a troublesome and demanding tenant. Your financial ability (per your income) to pay rent in a timely manner.

What to do if your roommate doesn't move out?

If that doesn't work, figure out how to firmly but politely invite them to move out. If necessary, you may have to take legal action to kick out a roommate who doesn't move out or violates a major agreement. If that isn't an option, you may have to move out yourself. Steps.

How to get your roommate to move out?

Use direct and clear language to avoid misunderstandings. No matter if you use a direct or indirect approach to the conversation initially, make it clear that you want your roommate to move out . Give firm dates or timelines. For example, you can say something like, "I think it's best if you move out.

How long do you have to give a roommate notice to move out?

Almost everywhere, you will need to provide your roommate with advance, written notice 15-30 days before you evict them. If your roommate doesn't move out after receiving notice, a judge may either find that your roommate is in breach of agreement and evict them, or that you don't have a case and your roommate can stay.

What happens if your roommate doesn't pay rent?

Keep in mind that if your roommate pays the rent on time and isn't damaging the apartment, your landlord will likely be unwilling to kick them out.

What to do if you feel unsafe around your roommate?

If you feel unsafe around your roommate (for example, they are violent or stealing from you) get yourself out immediately . Stay with a friend or family member until you can figure out your next steps.

What happens if you don't have a roommate?

If your roommate isn't on the lease, you may be able to kick them out. If you're both on the lease, you'll have to wait out the end of the lease and then make other arrangements. In some extreme cases, such as your roommate becoming extremely violent, you can get an Order of Protection and evict them.

What to do if you can't live with your roommate?

If you can't live with your roommate through the end of the lease, you may have to consider moving out yourself and finding a subletter. You can't reasonably ask your roommate before the lease is up, unless they aren't paying rent or aren't on the lease.