{"id":369215,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:16","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/how-to-deal-with-a-roommate-moving-out.html"},"modified":"2023-10-04T14:05:14","modified_gmt":"2023-10-04T19:05:14","slug":"how-to-deal-with-a-roommate-moving-out","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/how-to-deal-with-a-roommate-moving-out.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Deal With a Roommate Moving Out"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How to Deal With a Roommate Moving Out<\/h1>\n
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\n By Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Roommates are a reasonable response to high living costs. With a roommate, you have someone to share rent and expenses. Assuming that the roommate also signed the lease, if they leave before your tenancy ends, it can raise numerous legal issues for any remaining roommates. Lease agreements are binding contracts, and the departing roommate is breaking the terms of the lease, exposing everyone on the lease to liability. The remaining roommates are likely responsible for the ex-roommate’s share of the rent.<\/p>\r\n

This article explores different options you can take if your roommate moves out before the end of the lease term.<\/p>\r\n

Sign a Roommate Agreement Before You Move In<\/h2>\r\n

The best time to prepare for a roommate’s abrupt departure is before you move into your new apartment. In addition to signing a lease agreement with your landlord or property manager, you and any co-tenants should sign a roommate agreement<\/a>. The agreement should identify how each co-tenant should handle matters if they leave before the end of the lease.<\/p>\r\n

Issues to Address in a Roommate Agreement<\/h3>\r\n

The roommate agreement can address issues such as:<\/p>\r\n