My girlfriend and I moved into an apartment in February we were not on the lease until June 1st. Our roommate who was on the lease moved out BEFORE his term ended which was at the end of April. He moved due to our differences and it was a battle with him. I told my land lord that I wanted him to change the locks after he left because he terminated his lease and no longer had any belongings and to be honest after dealing with what he had been, I think that was my right. I spoke with the police and they said he had to. So, when I asked him he said he could not do that. Not only that he expected US to pay HIS half of the rent because HE left. Are you kidding me? I read my lease and it specifically says we are given 2 keys and the locks are changed when a new lease term begins with new tenants. Now we want to move but we're afraid it's going to go on our rental history and apparently he has no problem taking people to court as far as other tenants have stated.:confused: Is there any way around this?

It doesn't matter who moved in or who left; the rent needs to be paid in full every month. If you don't pay it in full, you can be evicted. If your ex-roommate refuses to contribute to the rent for the rest of his lease, then you need to sue him in small claims.

If your landlord refuses to change the locks, do it yourself and send him a certified letter along with a key, stating that you did so because the former tenant neglected to return his key upon vacancy.