ex-roommate situation. Does anyone know anything about legal rights?

My now exroommate gave my 30 days notice that she was moving. In the middle of the semester, during midterms week was the move out date. I can handle that. My name was not on the main lease or on any of the utilities.

I did sign something with her - first paying 1/2 of utilities/internet a month, and then she moved her boyfriend in, we changed it to me paying 1/3 of the utilities/internet.

Here is where I get pissed off - she told me they were moving out by Feb. 28th. They really moved out 2+ weeks earlier, taking the internet and washer/dryer with them. I barely spent time there had had 3 weeks worth of laundry I was planning on doing before they took the washer/dryer. Doing laundry was really the only reason I went "home". She had also unplugged the fridge, but I still had food in it! 

She went out of her way from day one to make me feel uncomfortable there and made it very clear that she didn't really ever want me there.

I ended up having to pay at a laundry mat to do all that laundry.  I also got my stuff and got the hell out of there. BF and I moved all of my stuff in less than three hours.

Does anyone know if legally I still have to pay my last 1/3 of the utilities for February? Or know of any forums where I could seek legal advice? She should be getting the bill in a few days. I would maybe be willing to pay 1/2 of the 1/3.

 But since they took the router/washer, I don't think I should have to pay a penny for the 2ed 2 weeks. But she is the type who would take it to court. (She once made a big deal because she had miscalculated the utilities by $1-something. I had to give her another check for the miscalculated amount)

*this is not a legal point of view, but my opinion, and I have no knowledge of US law*

She fleeced you.  This woman was a biatch from the word go.  The bills are in her name, the bill will go to her, does she have any way of making you pay?  If this were in the UK there would be the Small Claims Court, but as she left early, she cost you money in the laundry and in ruined food, and she prevented you from doing work because of the lack of internet.  I would say to tell the silly cow to swing for it...if it were in the UK I am very sure she wouldn't bother taking you to court, and if she did she would almost certainly lose.

Vicky

If your name isn't on any of the bills then you're ok with those companies. However, she can come after you for your portion of February's bills if you signed a contract (agreement) with her that would do so. If you do not pay as per your agreement she can file in small claims court for the amount you owe plus any late fees and filing costs. So what would have been $50 or $60 bucks could end up costing a few hundred dollars.

Yeah, if she bothers.


Vicky

Oh she would bother. 

So even though they took the internet/washer dryer two weeks early (1/2 of the  month) I would still have to pay the full amount?

I had to take my laundry to the laundry mat. It was 13 loads at $1.75/load + drying. In all it cost me about $30.00 total.

I would preempt her and just contact her first and offer 1/2 of whatever you would have paid if she had stayed the full month. Which would be the fair thing to do. If it came to a court case you probably file a counter claim for your laundry costs . But I'd just take the first step and make her an offer and be done with it.

Not sure what state your in but look into the local requirements for small claims court.  Keep in mind you can't have a lawyer in the court room, she has to serve you papers which could cost her some money (especially if she can't find you) and she risks losing and having to pay the court fees (not entirely sure if the person who loses incurs all of the court fees, you may want to double check on that).  Perhaps following Weby3's advice is the best way to address it. 

Good luck! 

This sounds like a case for Judge Judy!

What a cow bag! Sorry to hear she has been a pain in the butt!

If she had let me know she was going to be moving everything early, I would have gone ahead and done my laundry before! I'm work and go to college and only do laundry every 2-3 weeks. And then I wouldn't be as annoyed.

I have no problem paying her 1/6 of the total utilities/internet. I did laundry then, I was there then. It's the 2ed 1/2 of my 1/3 I have issues with.

There is no way I'm meeting up with her to give her the last check. I will be mailing it to her with delivery/signature confirmation.

I had until the 15th of each month to pay utilities. Last month I got a text from her (I was at BF's house) at 7am  on the 14th saying. "Do you THINK you could give me a check for the utilities so I can pay them?!?!?"   I made a point to not give it to her until about 10pm that night. She didn't cash it for almost three weeks! 

I'm generally a big pushover and have an aversion to drama like this. So if it were me, I'd wait until I calmed down from being pissed, then just pay it and be done with it. I'd consider it a small fee for having to never deal with her crap again.    I'm not saying this is the best way, but it's an alternative nobody's offered yet.

Does the contract you signed say anything at all about what method of payment you have to use?  If not, pay her in jars of pennies and nickels.  That would be you sticking to the agreement, but inconveniencing her like she did to you by taking the washer/dryer.

pay her in jars of pennies and nickels. 

Okay, this is AWESOME.

i'd pay but would deduct the cost of the food you lost/the laundry from the check you write...

ps-- i currently have my own share of bad roommate stories but yours has caused me to look at my roommate in a more favorable light...well, almost.

I would pay her the full amount for the period that you had internet and a washer/dryer. Then I would figure out the remaining amount, delete the $30 you spent at the laundromat, then pay her the difference. But, I have to say, I mostly agree with Vicky on this one! The girl was a total biotch!