Q: Can I sue my roommate for half the rent?
My roommate was awarded a subsidy by our city due to COVID 19 that would pay $1000 on the household's behalf. That would still leave $895 to be owed to the landlord. I filled out an application as well, but was told that the house hold should only submit one application as the awarded money is based on the total income of all adults living in the household. My roommate ended up submitting the application and was approved. That would still leave $895 to be owed to the landlord. She is refusing to pay $447.50 as her half of the leftover as she views the subsidy as belonging solely to her. Do I have a case to take her to civil court and sue for half of the remaining $895 due each month. Our lease says "tenant" is responsible for the rent due at the end if each month
Edit: total rent for the apartment is $1895. The aid money directly pays the landlord $1000 a month to aid the household with rent during COVID crisis. The tenants still owes $895 after aid money is paid
A:
Difficult to tell from your facts. Is the roommate paying the entire $1000, or something less. A "subsidy" is money that is received to assist in the payment of a debt, it does not replace the debt. If your roommate's debt obligation is $1895, then she needs to pay that, but you are talking about $447.50, where does this come from? How much are you and any other roommates paying? Need more info. Contact a Tenant's rights attorney in your local area.
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