Hello,
We are three room-mates sharing a apartment and the lease expires Jan 31,2007. We got a notice to renew the lease last month and need to respond by the 21st of December (this month).

Me and one of my other roomie wants to move out and the third roomie is still not sure of moving out. Me along with one of my roomies have sent a written and signed letter to the apartment management people stating that we are going to move out on 31st Jan 2007 and that our names should be taken out of any contract on or after our move out date.

Now here is the issue... The apartment management says that all three of us have to put in writing that we need to move out. They won't consider any written letter from 2 out of 3 persons (who are on the lease). We will automatically be contractually liable for the lease renewal and our names won't be taken off. (This is what the apartment management states). In case my third room-mate does not send the letter what would be the legal outcome of this issue?. would me and my other room-mate be put on the new lease renewal or not?.

I would really appreciate if someone could help me out with my question.

Thanks a lot!

Regards,
Jay

Tell them to go stuff it (politely). You are each signed separately on the lease. There is no way they can force you all to agree. Read the lease. Unless there is some clause in the lease that requires all three to be unanimous (and I doubt there is), they are wrong. Write them back and ask them where in the lease or in NJ Landlord-tenant laws it states that all three of you have to terminate the lease together or be automatically renewed. Basically you are calling their bluff.