Miami, FL asked in Contracts, Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Florida

Q: My boyfriend and I signed a 1 yr lease. He recently moved out without informing the landlord. Am I solely responsible?

He is residing elsewhere paying minimal amount and refusing to fulfill this lease agreement. He's telling me I must do it on my own

2 Lawyer Answers
Seril L Grossfeld
Seril L Grossfeld
Answered
  • Fort Lauderdale, FL

A: Technically if you both signed the lease you are both jointly and severably liable for the payments under the rent. In reality, if he moved somewhere else don't count on him to hold up his end of the deal. Be careful what you tell the landlord since if you agree to be solely liable for the payments and you cannot pay or move out the landlord can go after just you alone for payment of amounts due on the lease, where if his name is still on the lease the landlord still can go after the both of you.

Bruce Alexander Minnick and Charles M. Baron agree with this answer

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
Answered
  • Hollywood, FL
  • Licensed in Florida

A: I agree with Ms. Grossfeld. While you both ARE fully responsible for the rent payments, the real question is, what can you do if your b/f won't pay? One option is to hire an attorney to send him a nasty letter, and if that doesn't work, you might also be able to sue him, depending on the arrangement/agreement you had with him. But even assuming you have a basis to sue, you could wind up with a non-collectible judgment (as well as an even more soured relationship). You might want to look at the option of asking the landlord if he/she/it would be willing to terminate the lease early, without penalty, because your relationship didn't turn out as planned.

Bruce Alexander Minnick agrees with this answer

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