Our landlord is essentially shaking us down for an obscure provision in our lease that we renewed in January. We would have moved had we known he was going to demand $20k within 10 days as soon as we signed the lease.

I also just found out that the landlord is an attorney, but he did not say he was an attorney, the fact that he is an attorney is not on his business card and his name does not have a JD or Esq. after it in his email signature. He has an active license with the California State Bar. Didn’t he have to identify himself as an attorney at some point prior to signing the lease? Isn’t he supposed to present himself as an attorney to others?

Any help would be appreciated.

ROOMMATE AGREEMENT

This Roommate Agreement is a legal and binding contract between the following Roommates:

1. Name: ______________________ SSN/DL:_____________________
Permanent Address:
___________________________________________
___________________________________________

2. Name: _______________________ SSN/DL: _____________________
Permanent Address: __________________________________________
__________________________________________

1. Purpose of this Agreement. The purpose of this Agreement is to define the rights and obligations between the Roommates named above while living at _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________.

2. Choice of Law and Forum. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the City of Seminole and rules of Seminole Oaks Condo Association. All legal actions brought to enforce this contract shall be brought in the courts of Pinellas County, Florida.

3. Incorporation of the Association. All Roommates shall comply with the Association. Any breach of the Association or Lease Agreement by a Roommate is also a breach of this Roommate Agreement. Where there is a conflict between these Agreements and the Association, the terms of the Association shall have precedence.

4. Rent. Each Roommate shall pay her share of the rent as follows:
____________________________ $_______.____
____________________________ $_______.____
Rent may be adjusted in March and September each year. If the total amount of rent changes, each Roommates will be given at least one month notice of change in terms and rent shall be apportioned among Roommates the following month. If a roommate does not agree with the new terms or does not want to renew for any reason than she must give written notice before February 14 or August 14 and vacate the premises before March 1 or September 1. If no such action is taken than this Roommate Agreement and Lease Agreement is renewed automatically for six months until such notice is given.

________________________________ shall collect the rent and make a single payment.
Full payment shall be paid by personal check, certified check, cashier’s check, money order, or cash at least _____ days before the rent is due. A receipt to any Roommate that requests one shall be granted at time of payment. Upon any Roommate’s second late payment, her rent shall be accelerated by $25.00 and she shall immediately pay the full amount of rent for the remainder of the lease term.

Each Roommate shall pay her rent on time and shall pay in a manner that will provide her with proof of payment such as a receipt or a cancelled personal check. To be valid, the proof of payment shall indicate the name of the payee, the amount paid, and the date received. Each Roommate shall save these receipts until one of the following events occurs: (1) the landlord returns the security deposit without deduction or claim for any rent owed, (2) a settlement regarding unpaid rent is made between the landlord and all of the Roommates, or (3) a claim for unpaid rent is resolved in court. If the landlord claims that rent is late, Roommates shall provide proof of payment to any other Roommate upon request.

Each Roommate is liable for any damages resulting from a failure to pay rent or failure to provide proof of payment and shall indemnify the other Roommates for any damages they sustain due to her breach of this Agreement. Damages include, but aren’t limited to, late fees, interest, the landlord’s attorney fees, and court costs. If the Roommates are evicted, damages also include the moving expenses of the non-breaching Roommates and their costs of a new tenancy, including rent for the remainder of the lease period.

Even if a Roommate vacates the premises, she shall continue to pay her full rent until the lease expires or she is released in writing by all of the other Roommates.

5. Utilities. The Roommates agree to pay those utilities not included in the rent according to the following amounts or shares:

(Roommates>) 1 2 Payors
Phone Service:
LD Phone Service:
Cable Television:
I’m looking for a roommate online and my friend told me because I do not know these people and they will be living in my condo that I should locate the most detailed roommate agreement that I could find to protect myself.

I was served an unlawful detainer complaint. I filed an answer to defend my case. I have not received a court date yet but should shortly. I found an apartment that is reasonable and plan on moving out. Do I need to notify the court once I turn over possession? Will the case be dropped? Also, I plan on paying any rent owed during my stay. Should I hold on to any money and make arrangements to pay the attorney representing the Landlord?

I had a lease with a particular (shady) Los Angeles Management Co. from October 23, 2005 to October 23, 2006. Due to irreconcilable differences with my former (flaky and overall manipulative) roommate, I moved out on November 25, 2006. I sent them the notice to vacate on October 8, and rent was paid in full. When I later called to confirm its receipt, I was given the complete runaround. (I have copies of the letter and lease) After discussing the issue with an attorney, I was informed that once I move out I was no longer liable for rent on the apartment. I then proceeding with moving out. About three months later I got a call from the manager informing me that the rent was consistently being turned in late. Essentially, they are trying to go after me for rent on an apartment I no longer live in. I informed them that legally that it was not my responsibility and that they needed to contact the old roommate. They are continuing to contact me regarding this. What should I do?

i was being evitced for failure to pay rent. i live in a subsided apartment. i finally came up with the money and now the landlord wont accept it because she said that i owe attorney fees. the attorney papers were served to the wrong address, they were only foward it to me by the post office.