What are my rights as a leaseholder?

Question

I live with two other girls in an apartment. All our names are on the lease. We split the rent evenly by three, even though their rooms are much larger than mine, have doors, larger windows, etc.. HUGE differences (I know, it's a mistake I made earlier on, but learned to accept because they had "seniority".. please don't make my mistake the focus of your answer).

Anyway, one is moving out and is subletting her much larger room. I want to take it (remember, we're all paying the same rent here). She already told a new girl she could take the room without asking me... and I'm ANGRY (oh, P.S.: they offered the spot to the girl without me even meeting her).

As a lease-holder, do I have say in who comes into the apartment in place of her (therefore, if the new person doesn't want the smaller room or isn't compatible with me, they can't move in?

In short, is there a law that protects my decision to refuse a subtenant?

Answer 1

Welcome to the world of roommates, Cinderella.

I don't know what your lease says about subletting, but the landlord is just going to be annoyed about you and your roommates petty bickering.

You seem to be living with people that have no respect for you, or you are a passive aggressive that doesn't make your wishes known then complains about it. I don't know you, you do, or should. Get the two roommates together and tell them you want the room. If they don't let you have it, fine. Then you know.

I recommend you stop worrying about having a smaller room, and be prepared to move when your lease expires. Make sure your name gets taken off the lease when you move. Talk to the landlord and find out how to get taken off the lease when you move, otherwise you can be held responsible for the rent.

When you share an apartment, there will ALWAYS be something to get upset about. It will be the same when you get married. You need to learn to be more tolerant when living with others. There will always be someone that has more than you do. This becomes the motivation to better yourself. When you are older, you will be able to work for and get what you want.

ADDITIONAL INFO.

I think fighting it is like peeing into the wind ...I would look for another place after seeing you additional comments.

Answer 2

You have an interest in the apartment, and if you are in doubt, read the lease conditions, and speak to the owner. You should not have to share a residance with someone you don"t approve of. You have a say in this, and your original deal involved the girl who wants to move. She may be unable to break the lease by subletting. Don't take this laying down.

Answer 3

Unless she is subleasing from you you have no say in the matter, legally speaking.    You can try to appeal to the landlord, but you have no legal right to deny a sublease that the landlord has authorized.

Answer 4

Defined by the lease.

Yes you have a right to be mad, and YES you should have first choice.

However, the problem is she is getting a sublessee for her room, and you may have no rights to her room.  Does lease specify which room or do you all rent whole place and you all decide who gets what?  If you rent the whole, you DO have some rights.  And is the LL involved in this--have they approved subleasing?  Can you get LL to mediate?

No law.

And I would go to other girls and try to get this worked out between you guys.  If you and remaining girl can agree, this is doable.  If you can't get the bigger room, then maybe it's a good time to renegotiate the even split with the others.

HOW much longer is your lease?