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Is my daughter's boyfriend bound to the terms of their oral agreement to pay half of utilities?

Is my daughter's boyfriend bound to the terms of their oral agreement to pay half of utilities?

Q: What happens if two people are on a lease and one leaves?

If two people are on a lease and one leaves, the remaining tenant is usually still responsible for the full rent. The departing tenant may still be liable for their share unless the lease is modified or they find a replacement tenant. It's best to consult the lease agreement for specific terms.

Q: Should I pay rent if my boyfriend owns the house?

If your boyfriend owns the house, you may not be legally required to pay rent unless you have an agreement in place. However, contributing to household expenses can help maintain a fair arrangement. Discussing expectations openly is important.

Q: How do you split rent when a partner moves in?

When a partner moves in, it's crucial to discuss and agree on how to split rent and other expenses. This can be based on income, usage, or a fixed amount. A written agreement can help clarify responsibilities and prevent misunderstandings.

Q: How do you split rent when one person owns a house?

When one person owns a house, the owner typically covers the mortgage. The other person can contribute by paying rent or sharing household expenses. It's important to have a clear agreement on contributions to avoid potential conflicts.

Full question:

My daughter and her boyfriend moved in together. They agreed to split the rent and utilities. Both names are on the lease for the apartment. She put the cable in her name and he put the utilities in his name with the agreement that she would pay him the difference between the cable and utilities. He decided after 6 weeks he did not want to live in Tallahassee and returned to Fort Myers where they had both lived previously. He has agreed to pay his half of the rent for the remainder of their six month lease but is refusing to pay utilites and cable. My question is - isn't he legally responsible for his half of everything?

Category: Contracts
Subcategory: Oral
Date: 04/07/2025
State: Florida

Answer:

Generally, co-tenants are independently liable to the landlord for failure to comply with the lease agreement, including rent obligations. This may be spelled out in a lease agreement as both tenants being jointly and severally liable for the rent. If the lease agreement does not require the parties to pay the landlord any amounts for utilities and/or cable, your daughter will have to seek to enforce the agreement (regarding payment for utilities and cable) with her boyfriend as she would any other contract.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

How do you split rent when one person owns?

When one person owns the property, they typically cover the mortgage and related expenses. If someone else moves in, they can agree to pay rent or contribute to expenses. It's essential to have a written agreement detailing the amount and payment terms to avoid disputes.