Can I recover living and moving costs that I incurred, since my girlfriend and I just broke?

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Can I recover living and moving costs that I incurred, since my girlfriend and I just broke?

My girlfriend and I moved in together a few months ago. We spent several thousand dollars in long distance moving costs to move her furniture. The cost was split evenly between us. Recently, we broke up and she is planning on moving out before the lease expiration while taking all of the furniture and items with her. Would I be entitled to a partial reimbursement of the moving costs from her since she is leaving prior to lease expiration and I am not gaining use of the items and furniture that I paid to move for the duration of the lease?

Asked on March 25, 2011 under Family Law, Florida

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 13 years ago | Contributor

1) You can't recover moving costs--she has no legal obligation to not move (or break up), and no duty to you to not move (or break up); therefore, there is no recovery for the costs incurred in moving in with her when she then moves out shortly thereafter.

2) Similarly, you have no claim on her furniture and she had no obligation to let you use it, so there is no recovery for not getting its use.

3) However, if both you and she are on the lease and moves out before the lease is over, then you could sue her for her share of the rent under the lease (and for any costs you have to pay for damage to the apartment or home); that's because the lease is a contract, and you are one of the parties to the contract; you may therefore sue for costs or damages caused by a breach of it.

 


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