How can I recover money that a subleaser owes me for utilities?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
How can I recover money that a subleaser owes me for utilities?
Someone sublet my apartment for 3 months this past summer. She signed a contract stating that she would be responsible in remitting payment to the utilitiy companies while residing in the apartment. However, she never remitted payment. I recently paid for the all of the missed charges since I did not want to ruin my credit further. I also have proof from the utilities company that no payments were remitted during the time she resided at the apartment (total of $512.76). Can I sue her even though the utilities were under my name?
Asked on September 29, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Florida
Answers:
MD, Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You had a sublease with her so you are the one in the contractual arrangement with the sub-tenant. You can absolutely sue her for the monies owed plus court costs. Further, keep in mind that just because you prevail does not automatically mean you get paid. You need to then take the judgement and enforce the judgment by having her pay it all upfront or garnish her wages or place a lien on her property. Then make sure to report her to any landlord type reporting companies, where other landlords and tenants who sublease can be warned of her non-payment.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.