Los Angeles, CA asked in Civil Litigation, Contracts and Real Estate Law for California

Q: How can I keep the apartment I am living at if I am an occupant and the lease holder cannot pay their share of rent?

I am an occupant at an apartment on a month to month lease. The lease holder cannot pay her share of rent and is a extremely negligent of the place, she wont report damages in fear of receiving an eviction notice. She is constantly breaking the rules of the lease. I pay for half of the apartment but only use my bedroom. I am able to pay the full rent on my own. She was suppose to turn over the apartment when she went off to college out of state, but instead moved in her drug addict boyfriend to hold down the apartment for her (And did not inform the leasing office). I have gotten renter's insurance to make sure my things do not get damaged by her or her delinquent friends. I do not want to move and I know she cannot continue paying her part of the rent. What can I do?

1 Lawyer Answer
Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick

A: Talk to the landlord about this situation. Unless I miss my guess, your former roommate cannot just leave and let her boyfriend move in--because his name is NOT on the lease. Your landlord will know what to do.


