If I am the co-applicant on a lease, canmy roommate have me evicted from the apartment?

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If I am the co-applicant on a lease, canmy roommate have me evicted from the apartment?

I am the co-applicant on a lease for a 2-bedroom apartment, along with another roommate. She wants to evict me from the apartment. I have paid rent on time, as well as utilities. The lease I signed was for a full year.

Asked on August 17, 2011 New Jersey

Answers:

M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

Since you are on the lease you are a legal tenant.  And only a landlord can evict a tenant - not  a roommate.  Accordingly, your roommate has no legal right to ask you to vacate the premises.  Additionally, a tenant can not arbitrarily just sign off of a lease or break it.  A lease is a contract and you are bound by it.  Consequently you are still a legal tenant and liable for the unit until the lease ends.

Note: If you roommate takes self-help measures such as removing your belongings or even trying to change the lock, she could find herself in court on the wrong side of a civil suit.  

If things escalate with your living situation, you should consult with an attorney to help you further or at least contact a tenant's rights organization or even or your local housing court.


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