Paying rent with separate checks/non-leasee

[dscohen25]

Paid rent with 3 checks - one from each roommate. 1 roommate is not on lease because they rejected application. Landlord sent back check saying that they won't accept check from third roommate. Do they have the right to do this? Or are they just trying to be a pain?

[HAJ77]

Legally, they only have to accept payment from those named on the lease. Check your lease, it probably states that only payments from people on the lease will be accepted.

[consigliere]

If a lease is signed by two or more people, there is no right to have a roommate under the roommate law. The lease may provide greater rights.
 
Only if one of the tenants who signed the lease moves out can a roommate legally be brought into the apartment under the roommate law.
 
See the Roommate Issues and Leases FAQ at the Rent Guidelines Board website for more information.
 

[Cranky Tenant]

I think your LL is being fairly reaonable if he's willing to accept multiple checks for a single month's rent. Tracking several checks for a single month certainly adds to his bookkeeping and only increases the likelihood of error.

Its also better in the long run to work the money out between your roomates and keep the LL out of your finances. If for any reason someone decides to move out, you'll have fewer headaches.

<small>[ November 16, 2002, 09:17 PM: Message edited by: Cranky Tenant ]</small>