About Sylvia Bergthold Expertise I can answer questions dealing with roommate situations including compatability, leases, placing roommate wanted ads, what you have to offer to a roommate, sharing of utilities and other services, interviewing techniques and questions, some legal aspects of housesharing, clearance information, etc.
Experience I have had roommates in my home for over 32 years and am the author of:
"SORRY, THE BOA HAS GOTTA GO!" A Roommate Survival Guide
Publications The Los Angeles Times, The HB-FV Independent, The Arizona Tribune, Lansing Michigan Rental Guide, Roommate Locator Newsletter, The Plain Dealer,, Las Vegas Sun, Apartment Lifestyles Magazine, Instyle Magazine, The Whiz.com, Cosmopolitan, Under 25, The Portsmouth Herald
Question I have a 3bdroom house in the Los Angeles area protected under LA Rent Control. I've been there 5 years. My roommate, Lindsey, has been there 1 year. We've never had problems. In October, we got a new roommate, "T." I received calls from my landlords on November 30th saying T had not paid his November rent or his security deposit or last month's rent required by the landlords. We'd been being told by T, who moved here from London, that he was having difficulties with his British bank, but it was being handled and we believed him. He was NOT signed onto our existing lease. Lindsey and I are the only names at the moment. T sent a check for Nov and Dec rent, it bounced. He kept allowing time to go by and poor communication with our landlords. They want him out and have threatened us ALL with eviction even though Lindsey and I have had a perfect record with them. We were served with 3 day notice to pay or quit yesterday and T said he walked cash for Nov and Dec rent on Friday afternoon to the landlord's office. Regardless, Lindsey and I want him to go. We are serving his 30-day notice tonight and hoping it goes peacefully. If all funds are paid and we begin our search for a new roommate, assuming we don't have to go the eviction route with T., can the landlords still take us to court? Part of the 3-day notice stated that they were "electing to declare a forfeiture of (our) lease." I don't know ALL my rights ... but I thought that, even if eviction processes had begun, if everything was paid and "healed," that eviction was no longer valid. Please help.
Thank you
Answer Hi James
Because of the LA Rent Control laws governing your area, it does make for a sticky situation. However, I really have to partially fault the landlord here because he allowed "T" to move in without the security deposit, the last month's rent and the November rent. WHY did they allow him to move in? I feel this is your key to this mess.
Take all the paperwork pertaining to your case (lease agreement, three day notice, etc.) to the local Fair Housing Council (usually located in city hall). Explain the whole sorry mess to them and ask for advice. They can best tell you what your rights are, etc.
You also need to realize "T" is probably a scam artist. I would NOT EVER believe anything he tells you, including paying money he owes to the landlord. PLEASE make sure he did pay the money? Ask the landlord? NOW! And your 30 day notice had better be in WRITING. This guy is a total flake and you need to get rid of him pronto!
Buy my book to see HOW to get a responsible and compatible roommate. AND be eternally grateful "T" did NOT sign the lease agreement. That would give him equal rights with you and Lindsey....very very bad.
