Is it legal to lock your roommate’s bedroom door until she pays rent that is 2 months past due?
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Is it legal to lock your roommate’s bedroom door until she pays rent that is 2 months past due?
My roommate has not paid her half of our rent for this or last month. She has not had a job in 4 months. She has not received any income yet so she probably won’t pay next month’s rent either. She has been staying with her parents an hour away for the last 4 weeks. I was given permission by our landlord to put her belongings inside her room, install a deadbolt, and lock her out of her room (should she ever return for her things) until she pays her rent. The lease is also in both of our names. I want to confirm this is legal.
Asked on July 22, 2011 Pennsylvania
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
No, it is not legal and I would not listen to your landlord. He or she does not care really. If you both signed the lease then you are probably both "jointly and severally liable" for the money meaning that he can come after you for all of the rent. If he is willing ask him to start an eviction proceeding against her - legally - and then once he has an eviction notice he can give it to the sheriff or Marshall to take care of. Otherwise if you lock her out or touch her things she will have the right to sue you. Get legal help here. Good luck.
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