What can I do if my roommate infested my house with bedbugs and left with $1000 in unpaid rent?

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What can I do if my roommate infested my house with bedbugs and left with $1000 in unpaid rent?

Asked on May 8, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Alaska

Answers:

M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

Oh boy.  I am so sorry.  You left out important information here on the lease.  Did you both sign a lease with the landlord?  Then you are jointly and severally liable thereunder.  That means that you are liable for the rent and your remedy is to sue your roommate based upon the lease as well.  AS for the bedbugs, many leases have a clause in them as to same these days indicating that if the tenant brought them in that they must pay to rectify the problem.  Otherwise, the problem is the landlord's.  I would double check the laws in your state as they are ever changing with this issue everywhere.  You may need to sue your roomie for that as well.  Good luck. 


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