Roommate Refusing To Pay Outstanding Payment - What to Do?

[jagota_j]

Hi there, I just moved from my boardwalk apartment to another place.

During the moveout, we incurred about $1100 for the damages/cleanup charges. The landlord withheld the $500 Damage Deposit that we had earlier paid and has asked for the remaining balance.

I am okay with paying half of it (my share) but my roommate is refusing to pay. The lease is in both of our names and I am concerned that It would affect me.

What can I do?

 

[mrbeachman]

Where are you located? In some provinces the landlord can not ask for damage deposit.

 

[jagota_j]

Alberta

 

[jagota_j]

Any suggestions/advice guys?

 

[mrbeachman]

Sorry, I have no clue how it works in Alberta.

However, who paid the initial $500 deposit?

Are both of you on the contract?

I think if your roommate is refusing to pay the landlord can not legally go after you for the full amount.

 

[steaky]

Since both your roommate and yourself are in the lease, couldn't you handle this in the small claims court?

 

[jagota_j]

We both are on the lease, the $500 was paid half and half by both of us, havn't really thought about small claims court - not sure how that works and if it's even worth it for recovering the $300 that he needs to pay for his share. Talking to Boardwalk's customer care, I was advised that we both are liable. If he doesn't pay and even If I pay my half share, we both would still be sent over to collections end of the month as we both are liable for paying it.

 

[mickeyindia]

We both are on the lease, the $500 was paid half and half by both of us, havn't really thought about small claims court - not sure how that works and if it's even worth it for recovering the $300 that he needs to pay for his share. Talking to Boardwalk's customer care, I was advised that we both are liable. If he doesn't pay and even If I pay my half share, we both would still be sent over to collections end of the month as we both are liable for paying it.

Hi,
I am sorry to hear about your situation.
I was in a very similar situation as yours and my landlord was over me for all payable. (My case was different - both on lease and roommate absconded for 4 months). The lease was over - however the landlord was behind me and threatened to take me to court.

Legally landlord's are okay to demand money from anyone from the lease. I was advised by tenant association to pay the balance in full to landlord and go against my roommate legally.

Hope this helps.