Scumbag roommate situation
To those of you thinking of living with someone you don't know well, consider this experience a warning to always vet anyone you enter a lease with:
When my old co-worker moved out, we found a recent college graduate on Facebook / Craigslist to move in last fall. After a few months of being loud, inconsiderate and unable to finish a sentence without hitting his JUUL, this new roommate was laid off in January and moved back home to FL. He communicated for several weeks that he would need time to cover his portion of the rent, expressing what I thought was genuine remorse and embarrassment for the situation. Finding subletters has been difficult given COVID, and after a few fell through, he went silent, blocking my phone number and on all social media (even Venmo, lol). Unfortunately, both our names are on the lease so we are collectively responsible for the total rent. I'm moving in August to go to another state myself but obviously don't want to f*ck up my credit so I'm stuck paying his share, which is ~$7k.
The building is owned by a major real estate company who is sympathetic to the situation but rigid with their policies. They offer payment plans to push out rent given COVID, but no rent reductions. I've sent a letter to his family's address in FL explaining the situation in the hopes that his parents would step in and pay it or at least encourage their shithead son to do the right thing, but to no avail. I've spoken with lawyers that said it would be relatively easy to win a judgement in my state, but would be very difficult to enforce it in FL.
For what its worth, I was laid off years ago and have empathy for him, but his behavior made it difficult to feel sorry for him. In the few months I lived with him, he has lived above his means by spending tons of money on designer clothes, a 60 inch TV and going out every weekend. Further, my friend who was not blocked on Venmo has told me that even after being laid off he is spending money on poker, Airbnb's, etc. Doesn't change the situation, but certainly increases the frustration that justice has not been served. At this point I'm trying to figure out my options and if its worth coming after this kid through the legal system or otherwise (insert Tiger King / FL hitman joke).
TLDR: roommate fled the state and left me to pay the rent, what are my options?
Nyc? I’ll sublet his room
^this guy is the real winner here
![https://media1.tenor.com/images/828d92dae752eb986bece0bc60850969/tenor…]
Thanks but I'm not in NYC
Fuck. 7k and not in NYC? Private Equity is the fucking move
I would probably find a way to sue him for $7K. Better yet, sue for payment and interest charges for fronting the money.
Definitely looking into that. Problem is finding a lawyer willing to take on this case given the (relatively) low amount and the fact that he's out of state. If I do go that route I'll try to hit him up for legal fees too
I think it would prove a valuable lesson for the lad even if you only get a few K back after lawyer fees.
Been there in college once... Definitely sucks. I called the kids parents who were led to believe he had sublet, and fortunately they ended up paying his back rent. Although, mine was significantly less than $7k. What a scumbag
Re: Venmo - You all know you can put this on private right?
Found out one of my parents had it and had to hide activity. As much as I love giving my friends the ability to stalk my spending activity, explaining the "Hookers & blow" payment for a bar tab from a friend didn't seem worthwhile in the end
Glad it worked out for you. Yea contacting the parents is a good thought but unfortunately I had no luck. The building tried the emergency contact # on file and the person who answered was adamant they had no idea who the roommate was. The #'s online didn't work either. I do have the FL address and was hopeful the letter would persuade the parents but never heard back. It would surprise me if any parent would be ok with their child blatantly ripping someone off but maybe the apple doesn't fall far from the tree...
7k a month? Are you guys in a 21k a month apartment?
I wish but no that's his share of his rent over several months
Things that are weird:
You’re in a Joint and Several Liability situation with someone you don’t know. Most people are careful with JL leases and opt for Single liability even with people they do know. Personally I’d never and have never gotten in a JL without knowing their parents well or all their friends well.
Where’s his security deposit? He should be paying in advance and have a security deposit of 1-1.5x so that’s at least a bit of the damage done and time to search for a new sub letter (1-2.5 months covered right there to find another sublettor). Also, he should have co-signed or had a guarantor like his parents because you don’t know him. Did you vet him at ALL? Proof of funds, etc. Seems like he had a job and it was looking good, but usually you need a certain amount that’s liquid too in order to pay.
In the end it seems like you just made really bad decisions and didn’t set yourself up to cover your ass if things went to shit. I feel like some of the things I outlined above are done even in college when the parents are paying and you can pretty much trust whoever (hard for them to disappear). Yeah idk this is just stupidity and blind faith, no offense. Spending 5 mins to draft an agreement that covers this stuff saves your ass when shit goes down, especially for housing which tends to be high in absolute amounts.
Another tip, read rental / lease agreements and familiarize up on it... when I stayed in a place in Airbnb then went off-app I spent like 1-2 hrs reading legal agreements and drafted my own and negotiated fine with the person renting including language that said they had to return my money or find me equal and alternate accommodations if something happens to the apartment or it is uninhabitable, etc. Writing and structuring clauses to protect you and clearly outline liability is important when shit goes down and takes very little time.
Not trying to be preachy or condescending, just outlining tips. Sucks a shit ton when it’s happened (has to my friends) but it’s an important lesson.
Fair points. Not condescending at all, very helpful. In addition to looking for suggestions (and being cathartic), my post was intended to warn others, and I'd encourage anyone reading to follow the best practices you outlined. SB'd.
Lot of questions here but in short, this was the first time I lived with someone I didn't know and I did not properly vet him or bother to worry about getting his parents to co-sign. I grabbed drinks with him and he seemed like a decent guy, was college educated, was working at a Company where I had lots of friends, and I definitely thought it could never happen to me. Lesson learned.
Yeah, cool man. I've probably been in situations like this too and been burned. As far as the real shit (housing, job, relationships) sometimes it's tough and maybe even awkward but have to outline certain things really clearly. You're definitely not alone here, but GD boy 7k in rent money gah damn.
I used to moonlight in repos and have a special set of skills that I acquired over a long period of time. I'll collect what is owed for a 50% cut.
bring the case to court, provide docs to support he has not made payment, win the case, then you need to FILE AN ABSTRACT OF JUDGEMENT AGAINST HIM. This will prevent him from getting financing of most kinds (mortgages, Cars, etc.) until the judgement is paid off. You dont even have to take it off if you dont feel like it. He will be paying very soon if you do this.
Damn, assuming it can be enforced out of state that would definitely do the trick, I'll look into that
I'm a nonpracticing JD and yeah this is what I thought of
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