Me and 2 room mates signed a lease for a house about half a year back. We did not sign how much each person was to pay, we were to figure it out among ourselves who would be paying for what. If my room mate stopped paying rent altogether could I take him to court for the amount he was supposed to pay? Would a text message suffice for evidence of how much he said he would pay? How official would if have to be?
Hello there
You can absolutely take your room mate to small claims court for the amount that he agreed to pay towards the rent on this lease. The court presumes that all persons who sign the lease will pay their 1/3 (at least) unless other specific arrangements are made.
In the absence of anything in writing between you, a verbal contract with a text message as proof that the contract exists is sufficient in this situation.
To get the paperwork from small claims court, you just go to your nearest county courthouse (clerk's office) and ask for the paperwork that you need.
--MARY
Experience: 13 years experience in RE Law, including LL/Tenant, contractor disputes, comm'l prop. issues