My roommate lost her job on April 1st due to the corona virus. She emailed our apt leasing office the following email: "I was laid off due to coronavirus earlier this month. As such, I will not be paying rent again until legally required to do so" and she attached employer proof that she lost her job.
My roommate and I are both on the lease agreement. I am still employed so what is my best option?
I am hesitant in still paying my share of the rent on May 1st since I have no guarantee that my roommate won't leave months from today even if she finds another job
I have called and left messages with the leasing office but they have not called me back
The leasing office isn’t returning your calls because they are as confused as your co-tenant.
You are right to be concerned. Your roommate should have spoken with you first. She doesn’t understand that as co-tenants each of you is responsible for the other person’s share of rent. You need to get on same page, then communicate with landlord, to minimize the potential for calamity.
There are many possible ways to solve this problem but all depend on you, roommate and landlord cooperating. The intention behind the COVID rules is to encourage people to do that, and to slow down before acting.
There is a nonprofit program in San Francisco that can provide you and roommate a free consultation. Conflict Intervention Service. They provide information on the COVID rules, conflict coaching, mediation, and referrals to other resources. There is a charge for services to people outside of the city but costs are a fraction of legal fees. The free consultation will be worth the effort.
Learn more at sfbar.org/cis, or call the helpline at 415.782.8940.
You need to review the terms of your lease and any recent laws in California regarding rent during COVID-19. You should not simply assume that because your roommate doesn't intend to pay rent that you can similarly cease paying rent without penalty or liability. In fact, many leases make tenants jointly liable for the full rent meaning you could be liable for the full rent if your roommate vacates and ceases to pay. There might be "force majeure" provisions in your lease to assist you or California might have implemented something to protect tenants, but you would need to discuss this with a local attorney.
