Albuquerque, NM asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for New Mexico

Q: There is a contract between myself and my roommate but it isn't signed, is it still legal binding?

In the contract, it states that the $1200 I paid when I initially moved in was for first and last months rent. My roommate is now trying to claim the last month rent is actually a deposit. The contract, which was written by her, is unsigned by her so I'm unsure if what is written still holds or if she can just change what is stated. The initial disagreement came when I said I wasn't going to pay last month rent since I already had and she says I must or I must move out by the first of April.

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer

A: If you paid the last month's rent to the landlord then the landlord must still have the last month's rent on deposit. So if your roommate is staying in the apartment after you leave, she will (someday) have benefit of the last month's rent after you are gone. Right? IMO, she should (at the very least) give you one half of the rent deposit because it will be all hers when you leave.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.