For roughly 2 and a half years a shared a house with a roommate we will give him the initials KW. For the first 2 years things went fairly smoothly. 50/50 split on rent and utilities I got 1/2 the garage, he got 1/2 of the garage. In the garage I set up a computer that was not password protected where it was logged into my google account so I could watch you tube videos look up parts and do things like that. KW claims he "accidentally" opened my email and "accidentally" read the subject lines of my emails and started grilling me about how/where I get my money from. I am not proud of this, but my parents have given me significant financial help for me to make ends meet. Initially I started working on making changes to try to make it on my own, but after a impulsive career change to a job that KW considers "not a real job" that simply was not going to happen. It turns out that instead of "accidentally" reading just the subject lines of my emails KW eventually admitted that he read a 6 email exchange with my dad involving the purchase of a set of tires for my car. following that was a fight that ended in me moving out in early august of this year. I now have a new place on my own, but the lease on my old house does not expire until April of 2026. Initially he wanted me to send him approximately $10,000 up front for the privilege of me moving out with the claim that it was to cover rent and theoretical future utilities. I said I am not paying for utilities that aren’t in my name and I am not using and I am not fronting more than a 1/2 a years worth of rent up front. The only reason why I have paid any rent past my move out date is my name is on the lease and I am under the impression there is nothing I can do until April when it expires. should I keep paying him? so far he has gotten 4 months worth of rent paid for. I am already pretty sure I wont get my deposit back when the lease expires. I would love to hear your thoughts. EDIT! looks like I am on the hook for rent and there is not a whole lot I can do. I will do as you guys recommend and start paying my 1/2 of the rent on the payment portal only.
ESH. He violated your privacy for sure, and your finances aren’t his business.
But also you have a lease and an agreement to pay this bill. If you can’t get out of it or sublet, you’re obligated to pay.
I had a feeling that was the case. A bunch of my friend’s told me that I should stop paying him but I don’t want this to get any more messy than it already is.
ESH
You’re obligated to the landlord for the rent. Not utilities. Pay the landlord DIRECTLY. Do not pay him.
admittedly I have just venmoed him for each months rent, but I will switch to paying my 1/2 of rent in the rental portal.
Yes, always pay the landlord directly. Your name is on that lease and he cld mess up your credit if he doesn’t pay your part.
Why don’t you speak to the landlord about getting you off the lease? They’re not required to help you while there’s someone still living in the house, but especially if you’re renting from an individual and not a big investment company, they may be sympathetic. You might have to pay a lease breaking fee, but it’s likely to be less than another 6 months rent, with a decent chance at getting your deposit back. Your landlord may be willing to put some pressure on K to get a new roommate.
The house is a rundown “investment property” that is handled by a local property management company and is owned by an out of state investor I have never had contact with. after the uphill battle that was fought to get major issues fixed on the house I would be very surprised if they let me out of the lease easily.
Have you talked to K about subletting or having a friend replace you on the lease? You can refuse to pay the utilities if they’re not in your name, and if he gripes, tell him to let you find a subletter.
Yta and legally on the hook. While you should be paying the landlord directly, you are responsible for paying that money or seeing if you are allowed to sublet your apartment. Welcome to the real world.
ESH
Him for reading your emails. You for leaving a computer without a login password with email open and who knows what else.
You’re still liable for the rent since you signed a lease. You should have made some financial arrangement with your landlord or looked for someone to take over the lease. You should pay your part of the rent to your landlord and not to your ex-roommate. You’re not responsible for the utilities.
How do you know that he doesn’t already have a roommate? Are you paying the roommate for rent or are you paying the landlord? If you are paying him directly and he has a new roommate, he could be pocketing your rent payments. It would be a good idea to talk with the landlord. NTA
Talk to the landlord. Ask what the penalty is for breaking the lease before due date. Maybe it is less then the half year rent you are paying. Also just ‘accidently’ drive by at the house to see if there is someone else living there. It is possible that your roomate just moved someone else in and is now collecting twice the rent money. If so, tell that also to the landlord
ESH
He’s obviously an ah for violating your privacy. You though… You’d be an ah for breaking a lease. You owe half the rent. No questions asked.