I was co-signer on a rental lease with a boyfried. We have then since broken up and I was the one to move out. He is still residing there. What are the laws on whether I am still responsible to pay my half of the rent even though I am no longer living there? Please help me!

Thanks

It would depend on the exact wording of your lease and/or your state landlord/tenant laws (see first post in this forum for a link to laws).

In general, you are both responsible for the entire amount each month. That's how all of the leases I've ever used and any I've ever seen read. Basically, if you don't pay your half a law suit should be jointly filed against both of you.

Is the ex-bf expecting you to still pay half? If so, you're on the hook for it. If he's fine with you being gone and not paying I'd try to get with him and the landlord and see if he can sign a new lease with just his name on it. The way it is right now you're jointly responsible for all of the rent, the condition of the property - any damage, etc.

Karla in TX

Thanks Karla for responding so quickly. Yes the exboyfriend is still expecting me to pay because he cannot afford to pay the entire rent on his own. So pretty much you are saying I am stuck paying for a house I don't live in anymore?

When you sign or co-sign a lease it does not matter where you reside. You agreed to rent a property and you are still on the hook. However, if you default your ex still owes the full amount and may have to sue you for it if you do not willingly pay. When is the lease up and have you tried offering the ex a smaller amount than half?

The lease is up in April of '08. There is NO WAY he will take a lower dollar amount. Like I said he can barely pay his half on his own now that I am not there helping to pay the other bills in the house. He would definitely sue me if I opted to try and get out of the lease. He is very vendictive like that. Oh well.

Keep in mind that you both agreed to pay the full amount, each on your own when you signed the lease. If you don't pay, the landlord will expect him to pay the full amount. Just walk away and let him try to sue you or try to get on Peoples Court TV.

Ok, do you not understand that a lease is a contract? Do you not understand that you cannot just break a contract?

You should have thought of this before you moved out. Yes you are obligated to pay your share of the lease. The landlord doesn't care wo pays as long as he gets his rent. If your boyfriend sues you, you will lose.

You are still responsible. You need to have a discussion with the landlord and ask what your options are since exBF can't/won't pay your half... you may have to pay through the end of your lease. Make sure you keep in communication with LL about what you are doing so that you are not served with court paperwork that you don't know about.