2 months ago my partner and I signed a 12month lease on a flat. On the contract it say joint liability, does this mean that she is liable to payhalf the rent.
In effect It means you are both fully liable fro the rent payments, so she cannot just walk away from it
RE: In effect nice one, at last some good news, </p> She thinks she is going to the letting agency and taking her name of the agreement,am signing nowt</p>
if it's joint and several then they can come after either of you for the whole of the amount outstanding</p>
so in effect I could pay the rent and then take her to court for her share,or can I just reduce my direct debit by 50%
Some helpful advice contact the lettings agent immediately and inform them of the circumstances, ask them to contact the landlord and come to some arrangement whereby the property is readvertised and you'll honour the rent until the point at which they re let it. honesty is the best policy. assuming its not an ammicable split, and that she refuses to help you with the rent, do some damage on the web, strictly broadband my friend, get her new relationship off to a good start.
I'm not a solicitor but what I'm saying is that the landlord could sue either of you for the whole of the outstanding debt. I'm not sure if you'd have a case against her though. Also if you pay the landlord 50% I feel he may still be able to go for either of you for the balance. Speak to citizens advice or a solicitor mate if I was you
"Joint and Several Liability Where two or more people enter into an obligation such as a guarantee together, joint and several liability means that the lender or creditor can recover the whole indebtedness from any one of them. They are then left to sort out their respective contributions between themselves." But would you be prepared to go to court to claim from your girlfriend (costs etc). This is however assuming that it will be you they chase for the money. It is traditionally the man but if she is on a far better wage than you they could target her. They will take the best path to ensure they get their money. Best thing to do is contact the landlord/letting agency and get them to put the flat up for rent again. They will have no problem with this. Obviously you will have to pay until there is a new tenant.
