I'm currently splitting my rent with two other roommate. Then I decided to let my sister move in with me for a month because of her summer program. Because her moving in is a short notice, I was only able to notify one of my housemate and not my roommate that I am sharing a room with. My roommate is away for the whole summer. Anyway, my roommate found out and ask my sister to pay her full portion of the rent since we didn't tell her and practically my sister is subleasing her part of the room. The problem was it is into the third week of the month and because we couldn't reach our roommate, we didn't touch any of her stuff. Basically it's more like I am sharing my part of the room with my sister. Is there a way to deal with this since my sister is paying her rent and was only allow to use her desk? Thanks a lot

Is your sister sleeping in your roommate's room? Then she's a tenant and needs to pay rent.

Why should your sister "live" free while your roommate pays for the room?

If you didn't touch any of her stuff your sister slept on the floor without blankets and pillows?

My sister's is sleeping on the floor and didn't touch any of her part. I understand she is angry because we didn't tell her first. But the room is half mine and my sister is using my part. We felt guilty for not telling her so we ask for pay only parts of her rent. However, she wants us to pay her full portion and do not touch her stuffs. That's not OK since the room is also half mine, I need to have some say in this matter.

I'm sorry but I simply cannot believe that your sister is sleeping on a bare floor and never sets foot on your roommate's "side." She's breathing the air. She's a tenant.

If your roommate decides to take you to Court OR break the lease you are going to lose.

Why is this an "other money and services" question and not on the legal boards?

My two cents:

Your sister should be paying rent - of that there is no doubt. In addition to sharing your half of your room she is also using the bathroom, kitchen, living room, using the utilities, etc, right? So the question is: how much should she pay? I understand your roommate's point; however it is not apporpriate for your sister to have to pay the roommate's full share UNLESS your sister takes over the roommate's share of the space. In other words, your sister packs up the roomates stuff and moves it out. In essence your sister ends up subletting from the roommate. However, if the roommate wants her stuff to remain undisturbed, and wants the right to come and go, then she needs to pay something as well.

My suggestion is to have your sister and the absent roommate split the roomate's share of the rent.