(Newswire.net — October 25, 2021) — Living with a roommate can be fun while you also get to save a lot of money on rent. However, if your roommate decides to vacate the premises before the lease expires, it might leave you in a tight spot. Your landlord can force you to pay 100% of the rent as long as your name is on the rent agreement. But, don’t worry. There are a few things you can do if you ever find yourself in such a situation!
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It is not difficult to find roommates in San Francisco, but your landlord may need to authorize the new tenant. Also, rent control is a delicate situation in San Francisco, and almost as soon as you get it, it’s time to stress over losing it. Particularly, if you share a room with another renter who is the only one on the lease, you might be left with the burden of paying the entire rent of the place. There is an option of taking the help of a roommate finder in San Francisco, but before you let anyone move in, you need to consider a few things.
So what happens when your roommate leaves? Here are some things you should keep in mind.
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Inform your landlord about the situation
Remember those lessons from your parents and teachers about honesty? They work, and for a reason. It is extremely important to inform your landlord about the situation, timely and honestly. You must bring in a new roommate only with his permission, as otherwise, it will be considered a sublet, which may violate your lease terms and result in your eviction. Letting your landlord know about your roommate leaving also aids you in finding a new roommate, dividing the rent, and sharing other responsibilities. Never keep your landlord in the dark about this situation as they are more likely to be supportive if they have been made aware of the situation from the start.
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Get your roommate’s name removed from the lease
If your roommate decides to leave, the first thing you should do is get their name off the lease. Leaving them on the lease may appear to be a smart choice because it makes them liable for the rent even after they move out. However, since your landlord would be well aware of the situation, it is better to do everything officially. In the event of a defaulter, your landlord might go after whoever he can with the best chance of succeeding and the least amount of effort. If you’re still living as a tenant, that unfortunate person might most likely be you.
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Seek cooperation from your former roommate
Retaining your previous roommate on the lease will not benefit you and may, in fact, cause you more worries. You may need your former roommate’s cooperation while approaching the landlord about changing the lease agreement. Most landlords may not remove the former roommate’s name from the lease agreement without his approval. Your roommate is legally entitled to live in the apartment as long as their name appears on the lease. If you do not seek his cooperation and get your roommate’s name removed from the lease, leaving him in the dark, you might end up evicting him due to a quarrel or disagreement. Ensure that you do not let that happen!
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Find a new roommate
If your roommate leaves at very short notice, the biggest challenge is to find a new one. But hey! It isn’t a herculean task to find roommates in San Francisco. If you cannot afford to pay the entire rent of your apartment, finding a new roommate is the best option to consider. Of course, your landlord will have the final say in this regard, but it’s good to find and choose your room partner personally. In San Francisco, you enjoy the legal right to replace your roommate. Only a few particular circumstances, such as the candidate’s previous eviction, can cause your landlord to refuse.
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Problems with eviction
Your landlord is unlikely to beat up on you simply because your roommate left. However, he has the legal authority to do so. When a renter breaks the agreement, the landlord has the legal authority to enforce your eviction as well. If you are a valuable renter, your landlord is unlikely to pursue an eviction. However, if you’ve caused him problems in the past, he may use this as an opportunity to hit the road and cancel the lease agreement. You must be well aware of your rights as a tenant, and if your landlord agrees, with the help of a roommate finder in San Francisco, you can easily locate another roommate.
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Taking care of the deposit
Even if a tenant violates the lease, the landlord can keep the security deposit or deduct money for the missed rent and maintenance. However, your roommate isn’t entitled to his portion of the deposit until both of you have moved out; thus, the landlord isn’t bound to repay anyone’s money. If that’s a problem, you can pay your roommate’s portion of the deposit and collect the entire amount when you depart. If you do, it is important to make a written agreement with your roommate, give him a receipt, and have him sign a paper stating that you handed them the money.
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Legal action and negotiation
If your roommate leaves abruptly and without notice, you may believe that they owe you at least one more month’s rent. You might also think that your roommate shouldn’t get their share of the security deposit back until the lease is over. If you are unable to handle these issues on your own, taking your claims to the Small Claims Court may help. However, be sure whether going to court and spending court fees is worth the effort.
Note that if you still have a roommate in the flat, you’ll have to work out a deal with them, and until you replace the missing roommate, you’ll need to figure out how the two of you will split the rent. Negotiating with your roommate regarding the rent share and other factors is necessary to let things run smoothly.
Remember that even if a contractual lease prohibits it, San Francisco’s Rent Ordinance normally enables tenants to replace leaving roommates and increase the number of residents living in the unit. You can easily find roommates in San Francisco by listing your rental home on websites like Cirtru and connecting with potential roommates instantly. Lastly, remember to inform and talk to your landlord while finalizing a new roommate so that everyone is happy and on the same page.