Two months ago, myself and two other people signed a one-year lease. All three of us are on the lease and we pay prices proportional to the size of our rooms. On Monday, one of the tenants told us that they would be leaving the apartment at the end of this month and that they had already told the landlord (and had found a new place and had even started moving things out). This came as news to myself and the other roommate, and we have not received anything either in writing (or by any other means) from the person leaving or from the landlord.
At any rate, the other two of us don't want to be held financially responsible for the entire apartment if the tenant in question bolts on 10/31. The tenant said they'd help find a new roommate, but myself and the other person living here want to take care of that on our own, if they're actually leaving. The tenant that's leaving wants to show the apartment and bring someone to the landlord independent of myself and the other roommate, and sign the new person onto our existing lease agreement without our knowledge. From my own dealings with the landlord early on, it's certainly a possibility (he's very hands off as long as he sees money on the first of the month). Furthermore, neither of us are welcome in this person's room to show the apartment to a new prospective tenant.
Anyway, we have 20 days to find a new person. We both feels it's extremely unreasonable for us to take this on, and, of course, we don't want to lose the apartment, risk evicition, or risk any legal action taken against us because one person on the lease decided they want to pack up and leave with very short notice.
There are 10 months left on the lease. Is there anything we can do so this person's share of the rent continues per the initial lease agreement? Can the landlord do anything to the two of us if we simply put in our share and the other tenant bolts on 10/31?
Thanks!