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View Full Version : Lease end in 6 mo. And roommate complain because I didn't tell her before she move in


ksktmfrl
Apr 16, 2009, 06:30 PM
I listed my advertisement looking for a roommate who wishes to live for 6mo. Or more.

Roommate looked at the room and agreed to move in and gave me $50 deposit. At that time, she didn't asked me any questions nor I felt obliged to tell her that she have to move out after 6mo. Unless she wants to renew the contract with the landlord under her name.

Now she complains that she would have not moved in here if I told her that she has to move out unless she take over the whole apartment. But, I specifically listed on the internet that Im looking for a person who wishes to live for at least 6mo. Or more.

Also, there is no written contract but I have written a hand written receipt for the 1st month rent and a rent deposit of a whole month.

Ah.. she also conplained that when she looked at the ad. Online, that I was looking for a person who wishes to stay for 1year or more. But I have erased the whole ad. And its gone. There is no way to recover it. I am 99.9% sure that I put down 6mo. Or more.

Just in case, even if I put down a person who wishes to live at least 1year or more, is it illegal to tell the roommate without a contract to move out?

Now she says Im not being fair, and she wants me to pay for the moving cost, which she says to be $300. I told her that it is not my problem and she's like I didn't provide her enough information in the first place. Am I obliged to tell her in the first place??
She thinks I am the person who is to be blamed but not herself. I may have made a mistake not telling her such thing before handed because I forgot to tell her, but she did not tell me what she want specifically in the first place.

What do I have to do? Do I have to pay for her moving cost? And Is it really illegal to tell her to move out on 6th month??

Help me out... this is making my life so complicated...

ScottGem
Apr 16, 2009, 06:51 PM
You don't legally owe her anything. But ethically I would offer to split the moving expenses if she stays the 6 months.

Not telling a roommate that the lease ends in 6 months is totally unethical. If this is making your life complicated, its your own fault.

Fr_Chuck
Apr 16, 2009, 07:16 PM
Yes, the "or more" made it sound that there was going to be rental or renewal of lease happening.

If you had done that to me, I would find ways to sue you just hoping I got a liberal judge who felt you were unclear and use a copy of that "or more" as evidence of a offer for a longer lease.

So while you did not have anything in writing, so you can not be held to a lease with them,
** no formal written sublease.

I will agree you made it sound like more was possible and it was very unethical, you should have been specific that it was for 6 months only.