Q: I became roommates with someone 3 months into their occupancy. Am I liable for damages that happened before my arrival?
I was added onto the lease through an amendment to the original lease that was held by my roommate. There was a move in checklist conducted by myself and my landlord, 5 days after my initial move in. We made note of a scratch on the floor. This scratch was not noted on my roommates move in checklist, which was conducted 3 months prior to my move in. Both papers are signed and dated by the landlord. My landlord is attempting to split the cost of the damages equally between my roommate and I. The scratch was there before I arrived. I do not think I should split the cost of the damages, and feel as though it should be settled between my roommate and landlord. My roommate contends that it's possible that I may have caused the scratch the day I moved in. Since my landlord conducted my move in checklist 5 days after I moved in, they claim that they cannot know who is responsible for it.
A: This is definitely a situation where you will want to hire a lawyer to contest it or at the least to write a letter. It really comes down to proof and showing that you didn't do it. Also does your lease retroactively attach to your roommates lease? Many moving parts.
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