Roommates

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Education for Justice

Last Updated

12/2024

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This fact sheet talks about roommates. Who should be on the lease, who is liable for rent and utilities, and who can evict.

Be careful when choosing a roommate

Am I responsible for things my roommate does?

Who is responsible for the rent?

Each roommate probably is responsible for all of the rent, unless you have a written lease that says otherwise. If your roommate does not pay the rent, or moves out, your landlord can make you pay all of it. If you don’t pay, you can be evicted. To avoid this, you can try to write into the lease that each roommate is only responsible for their own share of the rent. Many landlords won’t agree to this.
Remember to get signed, dated receipts whenever you pay rent – whether you pay it to a roommate or the landlord. If you pay with a money order, you still need a receipt from the landlord!

Who is responsible for the utilities?

If you put your name on the utility account, you are responsible for the whole bill. But, if there is only 1 meter for 2 or more units, the landlord is usually responsible. See our fact sheet Shared Utility Meters.
The utility company may tell you that every roommate is responsible for the whole bill, even if their name is not on the account. We disagree. We think that only the named customer is responsible. If a phone, gas, electric, or water company wants you to pay a bill, and you never agreed to service in your name, talk to your local legal aid office. You can find yours at 1 (877) 696-6529.
Talk to your roommates about whose name should be on the account. If your name is on the account, budget enough money to pay the whole bill each month in case a roommate does not pay.
If you miss payments, you can get late fees, a bad credit rating, or the utilities can be shut off.
You can set up a budget plan with the utility company, so you pay the same amount each month. That way, each roommate knows how much they owe each month.
When you call to get utility service, they can ask who lives with you. You do not have to tell them.
If you do not want your name on the account, then do not send the utility company a check with your name on it. Tell your roommates to not give your name to the utility company. And check the monthly bill to make sure your name is not on it.
If you move in with someone who has an old unpaid bill and can’t get service, you can still get service in your name. If you are denied service, call legal aid.
What you cannot do is “account rotation.” Account rotation means roommates running up a bill in one person’s name, and then switching the account to another roommate while the person with the unpaid bill still lives there.

What should I do when I move out?

Give proper written notice to your landlord. If you have a lease, check it to see how much notice is needed. If you don’t have a lease, the landlord must get your notice at least a full month before you move out. In other words, to move out on July 31, you need to give a notice to your landlord in June.

Write to all utility companies that have your name on accounts and tell them to switch your accounts to your new address or to cancel them. Do it in writing and keep a copy so that you have a record of it. If you don’t notify them, you are still responsible for your roommate’s bills.

Can I evict a roommate?

Usually only a landlord can file an eviction case. You can ask your landlord to file an eviction that names only your roommate, and not you, but this can be complicated and risky.
If your roommate is threatening you, harassing you, or hurting you, apply for an Order for Protection (OFP) or a Harassment Order. The court could order the roommate to stay away from the apartment. See our fact sheet Orders for Protection and Harassment Orders.