Who is legally responsible if a roommate on the lease backs out the day the lease begins?

Who is legally responsible if a roommate on the lease backs out the day the lease begins?

Our roommate verbally backed out of our apartment the night the lease started. She was out of town and had not yet signed the lease, but her name was on the lease, she filled out the apartment application, provided personal information (i.e pay stubs and bank statements), had paid for the 2x security required, first months rent and broker fee for the apartment and had plans to return the next week to sign the lease. She is requesting all her money back for the first months rent and 2x security. Since we weren’t able to find a replacement roommate until mid month legally what should be done?

Asked on March 1, 2012 under Real Estate Law, New York

Answers:

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