If my roommate wants me to pay for damages and bills while I wasn’t living there, am I liable?

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If my roommate wants me to pay for damages and bills while I wasn’t living there, am I liable?

My roommate’s dog and friends caused roughly $300 in damages to our apartment while I was living with my girlfriend and he wants me to pay half of it. He also wants me to pay for half of the electric bill incurred while I was living with my girlfriend as well. Am I liable for this? I am on the lease but only as a roommate I am not on as a leaseholder and the bills are in his name.

Asked on November 1, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Michigan

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

There is no basis for you to have to pay for the damage that your roommate's dog and friends caused to the apartment since you did not cause that issue ($300.00).

As to the electric bill payment, you need to read carefully all documents that you signed concerning the rental that you have in that its terms and conditions control the obligations owed to you and vice versa by your roommate in the absence of conflicting state law. If the lease is silent about the electric bill payment by you, then you should have no responsibility to pay for it.


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