If you know where to look online, you can find just about everything you need to know about Phoenix apartments. One of the hardest things to prepare for, though, is what to do if your roommate suddenly moves out.
Maybe you two have irreconcilable differences. Maybe your roommate is getting married or got a job out of state. Whatever it is, sometimes life happens, and there’s nothing you can do to prevent your roommate from moving out. In those cases, use the following tips to help prevent your roommate’s move from becoming too much of an issue.
Talk it Out
The most important thing is not to panic. Sit down and have a calm conversation where you get all the details. Understand why your roommate is leaving, and that may make it easier for you to deal with. It’s also important to discuss the timeline, so you know what to expect and when.
Once you know when your roommate is leaving, it will be much easier to come up with a plan. This gives you time to decide whether you want to stay or leave and if you have time to look for a replacement roommate.
Divide Your Possessions
It’s possible that you may have split the cost of some of the things in your apartment. In those cases, you can look each of the big-ticket items up online to establish how much they’re worth. One person can buy the other person’s share of the item by giving them half of the value in cash. Alternatively, you might want to just split the items between yourselves evenly. For example, one person gets the couch and the other gets the TV (if they’re about the same in value).
Look Back at the Lease
If your roommate is the only one who has their name on the lease, it’s on them to resolve the issue with your landlord. That may mean you have to find a new place to live quickly if the lease gets terminated, but it also means you’re in the clear as far as consequences for breaking the lease.
If you’re the only one with your name on the lease, there’s not much you can do about your roommate moving out, but at least their departure isn’t a violation of the lease agreement. If anything, it’s probably getting you back into good standing since it’s generally not allowed to have someone living with you when they’re not on the lease.
If both of your names are on the lease, things could get tricky. If your roommate is leaving but you’re still on good terms, you may be able to work something out. Maybe your roommate can still cover half of the rent and bills or at least some portion. If your roommate isn’t cooperating, talk to your landlord to see what kind of options you have.
If you can’t afford to live there on your own, see if the apartment complex will let you put a new roommate on the lease to replace the person who is leaving. If not, you might have to work things out with your roommate to determine who and how you will pay to break the lease. Most leases include some discussion of what happens if you need to end it early.
Get Things in Writing
If your roommate got a job out of state but you two are still best friends, this part isn’t as important (but it’s still a good idea). This step is even more important if your roommate is moving because of a fight or breakup that has the two of you on bad terms.
Write down everything you’ve agreed upon:
• What the roommate will pay for, and how much
• When the roommate forfeits the opportunity to live in that apartment
• What the roommate is not responsible for, including damages, rent, and utilities after a certain date
• When the roommate will move out
Talk to the Landlord Immediately
Having a roommate move out is never an ideal situation. That said, most experienced landlords and apartment complexes have dealt with this type of situation before. Some will be strict, while others will want to work with you.
Either way, it’s best to let them know as soon as possible. You’ll have more time to figure things out, and no one will have to be surprised by the news.
Apartments in West Phoenix
Sometimes there’s nothing you can do to prevent your roommate from moving out. If you’re in a great apartment, that will at least limit the negative effect you feel in a situation like that. Heers communities offer modern, beautiful, affordable Phoenix apartments. We have several different properties, and each one of those contains multiple unit types.
Pick a unit for yourself and a roommate, or decide to live alone. Either way, you can find just the right living situation by going through Heers Management. Contact us today if you have any questions, or set up a showing then come by and see our impressive apartment buildings in Phoenix.