Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    trevch33's Avatar
    trevch33 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Sep 8, 2012, 09:56 AM
    Given roommate with no notice.
    I'm in a townhouse with two other people and there is an empty room because our other roommate had to back out of the lease last minute for medical reasons. This morning at 3 a.m. a guy walked in who hardly spoke english and said he was our new roommate. I know they can have someone move in but don't they have to give us a notice?
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    Sep 8, 2012, 10:03 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by trevch33 View Post
    I'm in a townhouse with two other people and there is an empty room because our other roommate had to back out of the lease last minute for medical reasons. This morning at 3 a.m. a guy walked in who hardly spoke english and said he was our new roommate. I know they can have someone move in but don't they have to give us a notice?

    Who is "they"? Are you saying that your landlord brought a new tenant into your apartment without your knowledge/consent?

    Where is this?
    trevch33's Avatar
    trevch33 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Sep 8, 2012, 10:11 AM
    Yes they as in the landlord. And its townhouses by a college campus.
    trevch33's Avatar
    trevch33 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #4

    Sep 8, 2012, 10:35 AM
    It's in Michigan
    AK lawyer's Avatar
    AK lawyer Posts: 12,592, Reputation: 977
    Expert
    		  
    #5

    Sep 8, 2012, 10:54 AM
    Are the premises owned by the college? Do you have some sort of written agreement? If so, what does it say?
    trevch33's Avatar
    trevch33 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #6

    Sep 8, 2012, 11:08 AM
    It's separate from the college and it has a lease but I read it and can't find anything about them adding a roommate.
    joypulv's Avatar
    joypulv Posts: 21,591, Reputation: 2941
    current pert
    		  
    #7

    Sep 8, 2012, 11:28 AM
    Maybe you should start at the beginning - how did the rest of you acquire this townhouse? Was the one who left on the lease? What arrangements did you make about the money he owed?
    trevch33's Avatar
    trevch33 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #8

    Sep 8, 2012, 11:32 AM
    We all have individual leases.
    joypulv's Avatar
    joypulv Posts: 21,591, Reputation: 2941
    current pert
    		  
    #9

    Sep 8, 2012, 11:39 AM
    Then you might be lodgers, not roommates. I recall many places around colleges doing this back in the 60s (I lived in one in Berkeley). I don't know the legality of this sort of arrangement in your state or any state, but I have a feeling the owner isn't required to notify you of anyone moving in. You are not beholden to unpaid rents of any of your other roommates, nor they to you, nor is each of you liable to the landlord for anything another one of you does.
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
    Uber Member
    		  
    #10

    Sep 8, 2012, 01:03 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by joypulv View Post
    Then you might be lodgers, not roommates. I recall many places around colleges doing this back in the 60s (I lived in one in Berkeley). I don't know the legality of this sort of arrangement in your state or any state, but I have a feeling the owner isn't required to notify you of anyone moving in. You are not beholden to unpaid rents of any of your other roommates, nor they to you, nor is each of you liable to the landlord for anything another one of you does.

    Same thing in my City - OP needs to re-read his paperwork and then talk to the building manager.

    My concern would be the type of background check that is done by management.
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
    Computer Expert and Renaissance Man
    		  
    #11

    Sep 8, 2012, 04:57 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by trevch33 View Post
    We all have individual leases.
    If you all have individual leases, then you have no control over who the landlords rent the room to.

    While it would have been nice to inform you, there are probably under no obligation to do so.
    joypulv's Avatar
    joypulv Posts: 21,591, Reputation: 2941
    current pert
    		  
    #12

    Sep 9, 2012, 12:38 PM
    I want to add that 'someone who barely speaks English' can be as good or as bad a roommate as someone who is fluent, and arriving at 3 am probably is a result of traveling through many time zones. And if you did have 'notice,' how much would you expect, and what would it matter? Especially if the person who left at the last minute didn't pay a dime, and none of you covered his rent.

    I hope you have an open mind about this person.

    This is not to say I would have signed a year or school year lease when I have no say over the selection of others.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Roommate gave notice and now wants to stay [ 1 Answers ]

My roommate gave her 30 day notice that she'd be moving out a couple of days before the end of last month. She said she'd be moving out at the end of this month. Today, she told me that she wasn't moving out because her "preferred" apartment wasn't available until August 1st. Unfortunately, I've...

Roommate not on lease and I have given my notice [ 2 Answers ]

I live in Florida. My year lease ran out on February 28, 2011. I paid February rent. I am moving out tomorrow. The landlord has my security deposit for last month's rent. My boyfriend, who is not on the lease and legally lives in his old house (gets all his mail there etc) will not leave. ...

30 Day Notice With roommate, California [ 1 Answers ]

I recently moved out of an apartment with a roommate. We paid 1400 dollars for a security deposit (700 each). When we were planning to move out when our lease expired, I submitted my 30 days notice in accordance to when our lease was to be up. The landlord accepted my 30 days notice separate from...

Roommate bailed , no 30 day notice. [ 1 Answers ]

Rented room to roommate moved in may 15 prorated rent, told her I would work with her on a $750.00 dep. Paid 60.00 she would have 250 June 15. $850.00 is the rent included the utl. Communicated to ech others living arrangement and expenses and that a 30 day notice be giving from ech of us if...

Renter/Roommate/30-day Notice [ 2 Answers ]

I live in Huntington Beach, California. I have a roommate. I offered the room to him below market rates because he is a good friend. I introduced him to my friend. They are now dating. She is also at the house half the time, sleeping over and doing laundry. I need my privacy. I do not want him as a...

View more questions Search