Abandoning my roommates (and still paying rent)

Project Mayhem · July 2008

So I'm currently living with 3 others in a Penthouse in the "city". I found a great apartment that I can rent that would be much closer to work, closer to girlfriend, is in a much nicer area, etc.

I really want to move, for multiple reasons. I like my roommates, however not as roommates. We were friends before and now our living situation really has me cramped, and just wanted to live on my own. I've tried talking about keeping the place semi-clean but it doesn't seem to have worked, so I really feel I'd just be better off on my own.

I'm thinking about going ahead and leasing the other apartment, and telling my roommates that I'm moving out, but that I will still pay rent. (I've budgeted it out, I can afford it, yay promotion!)

Is there anything I should be looking out for. I trust these guys as far as paying rent and everything, and I did look into breaking the lease but it's just not feasible for them.

Rend · July 2008

So long as you are keeping up your financial end of the bargain, I don't think anyone could logically say anything. How much longer is left on your lease? Paying for a rent you're not using, while good practice, since you haven't yet finished it, will get old fast, even if you can afford it.

Project Mayhem · July 2008

There's 6 months left on the lease, and while I'd love to just break it, it'd end up costing $4500. I don't want to put them in that sort of financial burden, and I think it'd be better for my sanity to move out.

ceres · July 2008

2nd the "How much longer is left on the lease?" question. If it's more than two or three months, they might be able to find someone else to live there. Also, when you're presenting this to them, you might want to put some emphasis on the "closer to work and gf" bit, and avoiding the "you guys are slobs" bit. They might be friendlier toward the idea if the reason isn't them.

Thanatos · July 2008

I wouldn't even mention the cleaning thing, just say "it's closer to work and in a nicer area."

Tell them you'll pay rent until they can find someone else to move in, and help them find a roommate.

Rend · July 2008

Yes, with 6 months left on the lease, try to find another roommate so you don't have to pay rent at a place you're not living at for half a year. Breaking the lease is obviously out, since your friends can't take the burden, but if you have someone else that might want to move in with them, or you can find one soon, do that instead.

RUNN1NGMAN · July 2008

If they find another person to rent, most landlords/rental companies will cancel the old lease and draw up a new lease for the remaining 6 months. Especially if you offer to pay for the new person's credit check.

That way you get any deposits back that you paid.

VisionOfClarity · July 2008

I agree with the subletting. It's worked well for me in the past and saved me a ton of money. Just make sure you check with your landlord as to whether it's kosher under your current lease.

Project Mayhem · July 2008

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll check on the subletting, not sure how well that'd work out, since I was actually sharing my room with someone. I talked it over and their general attitude was "gotta do what you gotta do". So I'm going to go ahead and bite the bullet tomorrow. Thanks again!

Jasconius · July 2008

If your name is on the lease then when they move out you are liable for any damages or any sort of extra charges like cleaning, etc.

It will be an issue if they are the type to not pay up.

TL DR · July 2008

Thanatos wrote: »

I wouldn't even mention the cleaning thing, just say "it's closer to work and in a nicer area."

Tell them you'll pay rent until they can find someone else to move in, and help them find a roommate.

This. Make sure your name is off the lease and you get your piece of the security deposit back at that time.

Regina Fong · July 2008

Other people have given good advice, and I just wanted to throw in that leases, in practice are a way for the landlord to ensure the continued income from the rental for a set period of time. Provided they are still going to get paid, and that the new roommate is satisfactory to them, most landlords will be decent about letting you out of it.

Improvolone · July 2008

I would talk to the landlord and see if he can walk through the apartment with you to clear you ahead of time of any damages.

chromdom · July 2008

Improvolone wrote: »

I would talk to the landlord and see if he can walk through the apartment with you to clear you ahead of time of any damages.

I disagree with this. There is always damage to apartments, it's part of normal living. If you can, keep the landlord out of it, get the new roomie to give you the amount of your deposit, and let everyone consider him having made the original deposit. It's a little scummy, but you'll get your full deposit back, and I'll bet you dollars to doughnuts he won't.

Regina Fong · July 2008

chromdom wrote: »

Improvolone wrote: »

I would talk to the landlord and see if he can walk through the apartment with you to clear you ahead of time of any damages.

I disagree with this. There is always damage to apartments, it's part of normal living. If you can, keep the landlord out of it, get the new roomie to give you the amount of your deposit, and let everyone consider him having made the original deposit. It's a little scummy, but you'll get your full deposit back, and I'll bet you dollars to doughnuts he won't.

I got my entire security deposit back when I moved out of my apartment to join the Navy, minus the cost of cleaning the windows (and the window tracks) because they were pretty nasty and I didn't want to clean them.

A lot of it just depends on your landlord, and also whether you've been a good tenant.

Penny Arcade

Abandoning my roommates (and still paying rent)

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