Q: What are my options for dealing with a bad roommate in Texas?
My roommate is taking advantage of me. For context: we are cotenants, we do not have a written roommate agreement in place, only verbal agreements as follows: Rent would be split equally between us with the exception of his pet rent of twenty dollars, groceries, and cleaning of the place would be split equally, electricity would be his bill to pay and id pay the water, and internet since we figured it'd equal out. Well, my roommate has been on a leave without pay status on and off for most of the year, meaning he hasn't received a full check in almost a year. He recently went part time due to his mental health issues. We're both correctional officers for the state of Texas. I'm now also working a second job since he has refused to pay anything at all now. My landlord knows of the situation but can't evict one without evicting both of us. I'm at a loss as to what to do and he may be considered "judgement proof" as he has no assets and his income is now severely reduced. Any advice helps
A: If your landlord is willing, you might consider a "friendly" eviction suit in which your landlord evicts you and your roommate from the premises and then relets the premises to you alone assuming that you have the financial ability to pay the rent and utilities alone.
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