Q: This issue pertains to tenant landlord law and the questions and situation are explained under more information
At the end of June me and a new roommate and her daughter moved into a new apartment in Bothell, WA. The apartment is leased to her and she is the only one that signed the contract. I am listed on this contract, along with her daughter, under "Occupants". Now that I am needing to move again, the complex said I can only be released from the lease if my roommate signs a Roommate Release Form. The complex states that because I am 18+ and listed in any way on the lease agreement, that I am held responsible for the unit through the duration of the lease. They said there is no other way for me to be able to leave other than having my roommate sign the release form and she is refusing to do so. She says she wants to take me to small claims court to "get her money". I have moved all of my things out of the unit but I still have the keys in my possession. I have paid all bills through the month of August already. So, I guess I have a few questions here about what I should do. Am I legally oblig
A: Do you have a copy of what was signed? What does the fine print say? It sounds as if your former roommate may have had the expectation that you would contribute to the rent payment when the two of you entered into the rental arrangement. If so and if she would not have leased the apartment otherwise, she might not be able to afford the rent on her own, which would mean she may have to move because you moved out, and which may affect her child's ability to attend a particular school. You might want to look through the articles here: http://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/issues/housing.
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