Housemate wants to move out: please help

Prudent_Scotsman

"live with a stranger for the next six month.
This is not something I wanted to do."

Not something you want to do, I can appreciate that.

But reality is that your flatmate plans to move out, and you and him are jointly liabile for his rent!

Try getting another flatmate, who will pay rent!

Use a leading flatshare / housemate web site such as http://www.moveflat.co.uk/ (use "Move Flat" if you are in London - you did not say where you live)!

clutton_2

your flat mates plans have changed - move on - and try to find a solution, rather than "wanting to make things as difficult" etc etc.

you will be responsible for all the rent if you stay - can you afford that ?

if you leave you will still be responsible for the rent until the landlord finds another tenant and he can sue you for the rent

why not try to find a new flat-mate now ? - you may find someone really nice !!!!!

SteveCat

ollym wrote:

Just spoke to Shelter. Apparently we are jointly and severally liable (sic?). Basically if my housemate leaves, I can be pursued for his rent.

The landlord could also pursue him for the rentr too but is probably more likely to pursue me as I still live in the premises.

I'm not sure of my options - maybe I should just pre-empt his move and go... but I am happy and wanted to continue living here.

I'm sure thats what I stated a few posts back.

clutton_2

you sure did steve !!

Nenen

Surely sharing a flat with a stranger can't be worse than sharing with someone who you are making it 'as difficult as possible' for them to move out???

You don't say why this person wants to move out... do you not get on any longer? If this is the case than again I'd say you'd be much better off to cut your losses and find someone else. if you advertise for another flatmate you can 'interview' prospective sharers when you show them round and get an idea of whether you think you'd get on. You could also take up references etc. When we lived in London (many years ago) we used to let out our spare room to students. We met so many lovely people that way... they started off strangers but often became good friends!

Personally, I'd try finding another flatmate... how about advertising at your place of work?

Voyager2002

Also, ask your flatmate to try and find someone to replace him.

What generally happens in this situation is that finding a replacement is a condition of moving out. Remind him that he will continue to be legally liable to pay rent to the landlord, under the contract which he signed as well as you.

littlesaint

I endorse the post that mentioned moveflat.com It's an excellent site and free too. There are other places you can advertise such as gumtree.com. I have lived in seven different flats in London, with numerous flatmates. I have been in your situation before, more than once as it happens.

When it happened to me the flatmates who were leaving took responsibility for finding a replacement, who I got to approve and it has worked out fine. What should happen is the departing flatmate should be making it easy for you to stay, not you making it difficult for him/her to leave.

I may be in your flatmate's situation in the near future. It's scary when this happens but you have to accept that people's situations will change. It's worth getting used to this if you plan renting for a while.

In practice, it will be your flatmate who has to worry about unpaid rent, not you. If your landlord is good, they will appreciate that you have stuck to the agreement and will persue your flatmate for any unpaid rent as long as you start looking for a replacement.

Daisies

I would ask around or advertise at work - often somebody will know somebody else who's looking for somewhere to live, and it possible they'd be able to vouch for them too (ie you wouldn't end up with someone totally unknown).

Good luck!