Hello,

I live in a house with 3 other girls and recently another girl moved in. the 4 of us who had already moved in before her split the security deposit for which her portion was about $900. She wasn't put on the lease but since we all knew each other, we decided that it would be okay if she moved in and paid us the security deposit later. She has lived here for about 3 months until recently she moved out-- leaving a mess downstairs, 3 months worth of utilities and her portion of the deposit unpaid. Well my question is: is there any legal action I can take to recover the money she owes on the deposit as well as the utilities?

Thanks,
Susan

There is nothing you can do because you have nothing in writing and I know that's not what you wanted to hear but everything now a days needs to be in writing. You can lie to her and make up some paper work to make it look like she has to pay or you will take her to court and see if she goes for that !

You won't be able to sue her for a share of the security deposit since she would've been entitled to a refund of that amount (minus any damage she caused) after she moved out. But you can sue her for the money she owes for utilities.

If she moved out without giving you or your roommates the proper notice then you can also sue her for 30 days of rent.

Please ignore jayrere1's response, it is legally an ethically incorrect.

Verbal agreements are enforceable. All you need to do is prove that she was living there (do you have any mail addressed to her?). You can then sue her for any unpaid rental, unpaid utilities, repairs for damages etc.