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[Miletius]

Personally I'd keep her on the hook for a) either the transfer fee (the entire fee) or b) finding a new roommate, however long that takes. That seems reasonable if not quite fair from my perspective, as you would unfort. be in charge of the extra bills in scenario (a) but you'd be rid of her much faster.

Having her around sounds like a pain in the ass so personally I'd do with a as long as the bills aren't totally unreasonable without a 3rd person. But it's ultimately your call, and others have made reasonable suggestions as well.

 

[Tumo]

Does the lease say that together the 3 of you are responsible for getting the total rent to the landlord or that you are each responsible for x amount each month?

If she wants to leave it should be between her and the landlord. Check your leases people, don't agree to be responsible for other people's shit.

 

[forgrim]

situations like this happen all the freaking time in nyc (lots of people renting, people wanting to move closer/farther to certain areas, etc.)

the problem tho is if you try to force a transfer fee on her, she might just look for joe schmo random person to sublet too, which will be infinetly worse if that person is terrible. the two original tenants can try to block that, but than an argument arises that she's done her duty. its a tricky situation.

but honestly, if she offered to split it 1/3 of the transfer fee, it might be worth it simply for the reduced cost of no more stress.

edit: sometimes leases just state that whoever lives in the apartment is liable for the, say 2000 dollars a month. it doesn't specify the way its split so 2 ppl can pay 1950, 1 person can pay 50. The apartment renter just cares about total, not the infighting between the people.

 

[Bboy AJ]

Law GAF present. LOL at all these doormats on GAF telling you to pay the fee, as if it's your fault. Yeah right. I agree with this post completely:

Call her bluff.

I'm going to take a guess and say she's somewhat intelligent. If so she doesn't want to be taken to court or risk having her credit damaged.

Inform her that you're willing to take her name off the lease in exchange for $300 (transfer fee) + $100 x months remaining on lease (for the rent increase) + moving expenses.

Those three things should still come in way under buying out of the lease directly.

If she says no (which is ridiculous because she's getting a good deal), teach her a lesson in signing legally enforceable documents. If she's willing to negotiate, only budge on the $100xMonths remaining. Nothing else as they are costs directly attributed to her.

Don't be a doormat like some of these posts are telling you to. Obnoxious people thrive on other people who are willing to roll-over because they're sick of their shit.

 

[TxdoHawk]

It doesn't sound like much of a dilemma, OP. If you don't want to deal with the potential hassle of her subletting, a possible court case, and/or the on-campus awkwardness that ensues, it sounds like your best choice is to swallow the fee and move. If you want to start making demands, you're going to have to nut up and play hardball with her, and accept that there may be consequences.

LOL at all these doormats on GAF telling you to pay the fee, as if it's your fault.

Personally, $300 is nothing to me compared to the potential headaches of a new shitty subletter, court case, etc. But I'd also take a power sander to my ballsack before I'd ever move in with three other roommates.

 

[Tzeentch]

the problem tho is if you try to force a transfer fee on her, she might just look for joe schmo random person to sublet too, which will be infinetly worse if that person is terrible. the two original tenants can try to block that, but than an argument arises that she's done her duty. its a tricky situation.

-- You can't just sublet to anyone you want without input from the other lease signers (well, in most cases, check your lease). You may be able to sublease but that usually means the others have to say ok. I would not sign a damn thing and consult with your property manager, and certainly not pay anything yourself even if the manager says to. This is on her.

-- But knowing how most of these 'advice' threads go, the OP will do the exact opposite of what people say and next month we'll have a "Help! I got stuck with a huge bill when my roommate moved out, what can I do?" thread.

 

[Skiesofwonder]

I'm looking at the lease right now. We are all jointly responsible for the rent. The buyout fee is one month rent + $479 (so around $1350 total). Sorry I misspoke on that. Can't find anything else of significance though. Nothing about if one roommate splits or wants to move out early.

Some really good advice in here. We our having a conference meeting tomorrow at 11, I'm planning on going in and basically saying that we will sign the form only if she pays the transfer fee + another $300 to help with moving and the increase in rent. From there I can negotiate down if need be.

 

[Yaboosh]

The absolute last thing you want is her finding a replacement for you. I would start looking yourself just in case.


Never mind, already mentioned and rebutted.

 

[The Adder]

Why should she pay the transfer fee because you don't want to?

She could just pack her shit and bounce and tell ya'll to kick rocks but at least she's communicating. But it's not her responsibility to help you guys get a new place. Does her leaving put the two of you in a bind? Sure. But that's not her responsibility.

Take the "L" and split the 300$ two ways. That's 150$ a pop. Let her pay her share of October and give her permission to remove her name off the lease. Problem solved.

She wants out of the lease before the lease expires which will put unexpected financial strain on other parties who were not involved with that decision. It's her responsibility.

 

[Ricko Suave]

that's not her responsibility though really. she should attempt to mitigate damages for sure.. ie do some minor searching on craigslist, but if she doesn't find anyone she is still free to go as a free person.

1 week is kinda short notice though. op definitely get a copy of the lease to read through.

Well of course she's free to go. Doesn't change the fact that the Landlord can tax that ass for $2,700 if she leaves without resolving this issue with her roommates.

 

[GuitarAtomik]

The thing is the property manager told me that I should sign it. This is at a apartment complex so her name can't be removed from the lease unless we all agree, right? Like the property manager just can't remove it without consulting us?

I basically told her that I was cool moving to a two bedroom apartment but my roommate and I couldn't float the transfer fee (we could but I don't feel like we should). We are all having a conference tomorrow, and she said that maybe all three of us could split the fee. I still don't think that is fair. Also we got one copy of the lease and I never saw it. The person who is moving out has been hoarding it and obviously won't give it to me now. Can I get another copy?

If you want to make this easy, I'd agree to this. If you don't mind making it hard, I think you're in the right to demand the entire transfer fee from her. Asking for moving fees might be pushing it a bit, though I understand where you're coming from on it.

The ideal thing for everyone would be to find a new roommate to take her place in such case the majority of the burden should be on her to find, but you'd probably be better off in the long run finding one yourself since you're the one who'll have to live with them. I understand finding such a person in a week or two's time would be difficult though.

 

[Rafterman]

Law GAF present. LOL at all these doormats on GAF telling you to pay the fee, as if it's your fault. Yeah right. I agree with this post completely:

Good luck with that. And in two years when the Op is still dealing with this problem he can thank all of you non "door mat" types who want to drag this shit out for the headache. In trying to "teach her a lesson" you are far more likely to learn one yourself, and that's "It's not worth the hassle". Get what you can from her for the transfer fee and call it a day. Cut the cancer out, move on, and learn from it.

Well of course she's free to go. Doesn't change the fact that the Landlord can tax that ass for $2,700 if she leaves without resolving this issue with her roommates.

No, the landlord would charge them all, not just her. It's no different than co-signing on a car or putting an additional user on your credit card. All parties are responsible. The landlord will go after all of them. This why you don't ever put your name on a multiple-person contract for anything, or anyone, for any reason...ever.

 

[Skiesofwonder]

Update: Back from conference.

Property Manager started off by saying that the "agreement" was each of us split the transfer fee ($100 each) and we would sign the papers releasing her from the lease. The roommate that is moving out refused to that "agreement" before I could even say anything, so then I spoke up and pointed out on the lease that basically the only other way for her to remove her name from the lease is to find someone to sublease (that we agree upon) or pay the buyout fee of $1350. With that said, me and (the other roommate) have come to the conclusion that it would be only fair if you pay the WHOLE transfer fee before we sign the form. Otherwise, your name will continue to be on the lease whether or not you decide to stay and I will take you to small claims court if it comes down to that.

Of course she refused and threw a little hissy-fit (even after the property manager told her it would be best to take the deal), and eventually we agreed that the roommate moving out would forfeit her security deposit, putting it towards the transfer fee, and the property manager would wave anything that was left on our end left due. Yes, I got that in writing with her signature.

I feel like I let the roommate moving out off to easy, but I'm glad the headache is over and next month we will be moving into a two bedroom apartment without the need to pay the transfer fee. Thank you members of GAF, your advice was great!

 

[Flying Toaster]

Damn you... you actually took good advice this must be a first when it comes to "What do I do GAF?" threads.

I am glad it worked out for you... now loosen all the lugnuts on the wheels of her car...

Spoiler

DONT ACTUALLY DO THIS

 

[Ricko Suave]

No, the landlord would charge them all, not just her. It's no different than co-signing on a car or putting an additional user on your credit card. All parties are responsible. The landlord will go after all of them. This why you don't ever put your name on a multiple-person contract for anything, or anyone, for any reason...ever.

Fudge! Thanks for the incite.

OP, I hope it turns out good for you.

 

[BronsonLee]

Congrats on your victory! To celebrate, you should take her out for pizza.

Then when she declines, eat it all in front of her

 

[hunnies28]

I thought this was going to be one of those threads where OP ends up confessing that he had sex with the other roomates or another similar megaton.

Anyway, congrats on the outcome.

 

[Spider from Mars]

Now if only that mullet guy would take advice.

 

[Liberty4all]

I love happy endings!

 

[Skiesofwonder]

Damn you... you actually took good advice this must be a first when it comes to "What do I do GAF?" threads.

I am glad it worked out for you... now loosen all the lugnuts on the wheels of her car...

Spoiler

DONT ACTUALLY DO THIS

Trust me, the temptations are very strong.... not for something dangerous like that but maybe just a light prank or something. Sadly all three of us are in a clinical group together (that contains only seven people) so we will be seeing each other again.

 

[Ricko Suave]

OP, I'm happy that your situation was solved amicably. Next time have a clause in your lease agreement that says FUCK GLUTEN FREE DIETS!

 

[Zoolader]

Is rafterman your girl roomate? Glad it worked out for you she sounded like a pain in the ass.

 

[Ephemeris]

finally. A seemingly happy ending.

 

[Archpath1]

Better Call Saul.


edit- congrats, glad to see it work out