How to Evict A Roommate from Your Lease

Roommates can be great! They pay a portion of the rent, help with apartment maintenance, and can be fun to live with. However, this isn’t always the case. Occasionally a roommate doesn’t work out for one reason or another. Whether they’re not paying rent or regularly disrespect your property, chances are you no longer want to live with them. While you’ve both signed a lease agreement, there are several options if you want to remove a roommate from your lease.

How to Evict a Roommate

What Does Your Lease Say? The first place you should always look is your lease. Read it over and learn what your options are if you want to break your lease. Your agreement may also detail the process of proposing your roommate should be evicted. Some reasons for eviction include:

• Damaging the property
• Neglecting to pay rent
• Being charged with a serious crime
• Showing signs of danger to others
• Bringing an animal into the apartment that isn’t allowed

Your lease may detail more reasons for eviction as well. Legally Evicting a Roommate You cannot legally evict your roommate yourself. Instead, you should speak with your property manager and discuss the situation. If your roommate is violating the lease agreement, they may be subject to eviction by the property manager. You may also provide the details of the situation in writing and send them to the property manager. This way they will be able to review the written request without the pressure of an immediate response. If eviction is not possible, you still have options. The first option is to try and work things out with your roommate. If the issue centers around noise levels, someone’s personal property, or having guests over at inopportune times, you may be able smooth things over. This option is especially advisable if there are only a few months left in your lease. The second option is to break your lease and move to another apartment. This option can be expensive and complicated and should be your last resort. A documented eviction or a broken lease agreement on your rental record could possibly affect your chances of being approved at another apartment. If you don’t want to break the lease you can try suggesting your roommate moves out. They may be more than willing to move out, freeing you from the situation for good. Lastly, if your roommate breaks their lease and moves out you can sublet their room. Not every apartment allows subletting so to make sure you review your lease and talking with the property manager. If subletting isn’t allowed you can still discuss your options for getting a new roommate with the property manager. If you’re experiencing a roommate issue, the property managers at your apartment are available to talk! We’ll discuss your options for removing a roommate from the lease ad help smooth things over.