7 answers

Roommates, Guests & Subletting Questions

Who owes the rent when a roommate stops paying or moves out, adding someone to the lease, long-staying guests, and renting your place out while you are away.

Can my roommate kick me out?Not on their own — if you live there as a co-tenant or with an agreement to pay rent, a roommate can't lock you out or force you to leave. Someone staying informally, with no agreement, may have fewer protections depending on the state.
Am I responsible if my roommate doesn't pay their share of the rent?Usually yes — if you're both listed as tenants on the lease, you're each responsible for the full rent, not just your half, under a rule called joint and several liability. Only removing your name from the lease changes that.
What happens if my roommate moves out before the lease ends?It depends on whether your roommate is a co-tenant or your subtenant — if you're both named on the lease, you're still responsible for the full rent and the lease stays in effect until the landlord agrees to change it or it ends.
Can I add a roommate to my lease?Usually not without asking first — most leases require the landlord's written approval before a new adult moves in, and adding someone without permission can be treated as a lease violation even if you're covering the rent.
How long can a guest stay before they count as a tenant?It depends on your lease — most leases set a guest limit, commonly a certain number of consecutive or total days per month, and a landlord can require the guest to be added to the lease or moved out once that limit is passed.
Can I rent out my apartment on Airbnb?Almost never without your landlord's written permission — most residential leases prohibit subletting or short-term rentals outright, and listing your unit without consent is typically a lease violation even where your city allows short-term rentals generally.
How does the security deposit work when a roommate moves out?The deposit belongs to the lease, not to any one roommate — when one of you moves out, it generally stays with the landlord until everyone named on the lease has moved out, unless your lease or landlord agrees to split it early.

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