Roommates Who Don't Pay Rent
Tuesday July 7, 2009
If you split rent with roommates, you might think your tenancy is protected as long as you pay your landlord your own share of the rent each month. But roommates who don't pay their full share put you at risk, too.
After diligently paying your rent each month, the last thing you want is to be threatened with eviction because a roommate comes up short.
Read what you can do to prevent this situation from happening to you.
(© Medioimages/Photodisc / Getty Images)
Comments
Well said. It is very difficult situation to face indeed. I have been stuck up with this issue for past 4 months.
Real Estate Mumbai, Property in Mumbai
Well said, Ron. Most people with a roommate don’t realize this is the reality and wonder why the landlord is coming to rap on their door when they’ve paid their share.
The only other thing I would say is that people need to know that the situation could get worse for the paying roommate if the landlord reports late payments to the credit bureau… EVEN IF YOU PAY ON TIME and your roommate is late, it can appear as a late payment on your credit report! Strange, but true.
Both roommates should read the rental agreement thoroughly before they sign so they know what they are walking in to!
Exactly — a financially irresponsible roommate can be almost like a contagion. Continuing to room with someone who doesn’t pay rent can damage your good name and efforts.