Can I take my friend to court due to owing me rent?
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Can I take my friend to court due to owing me rent?
I rent a house. I let a friend, his wife, and the brother move in with the landlords permission for a couple months. They agreed to pay half the rent, the agreement for the brother staying is he wold be responsible for the electric bill. They moved out while I was at work one day without me knowing 5 days until rent was due and without paying the electric bill. I have nothing in writing except where she wrote on the electric bill what the brother wold pay? is there anything I can do? I have to move out now due to now having the rent I was counting on for the month.
Asked on August 28, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Ohio
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
I am so sorry. I do think that you know that you have a lot of problems here with the agreement between you and your friends. Did you move out before you actually paid the rent? Is that the rent that you were going to sue them for? If you did not pay it then you can not sue for it. As for the electric bill, the writing on the bill is really not enough. You are going to have to prove it and handwriting experts cost a lot. You do have the knowledge f the landlord and consent to the "sublet" on a month to month basis so you can use that approach but it will be iffy. Good luck.
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