Rental Agreement Liability Dispute

Summary

Co-tenants on a lease may remain liable for rent unless formally removed. Verbal notice to a landlord may not legally absolve liability. If not notified by the Landlord and Tenant Board, you might challenge your liability. Gather evidence like change of address documents and contact the collections agency. Consider filing a review or appeal with the Landlord and Tenant Board. Legal advice can provide tailored guidance.

Full Conversation

My mother and I signed a rental agreement as co-tenants when I was *. I left the residence in * but didn't notify the landlord about this and remained on the lease. My mother did not pay rent and because of this got sent to the Landlord and Tenant Board where I was not notified and the rent repayment got sent to collections and is not on my credit report. Am I legally responsible for paying back the debt if the landlord had known verbally that I was not present at the address anymore.
Hey ****, it sounds like a tricky situation. Generally, as a co-tenant on a lease, you might still be responsible for rent unless formally removed from the agreement. Some points to consider:
- Being on the lease makes you liable for rent.
- Verbal notice to the landlord may not legally remove your liability.
- Consider seeking advice from a legal professional to explore options like challenging the debt or negotiating with collections.
If I was not contacted by the Landlord and Tenant Board can I fight my role in the matter
Hey ****, you can potentially challenge your liability if you weren't properly notified about the proceedings. Some things to consider include:
- Whether you received formal notice of the proceedings.
- Your ability to prove you were not residing there.
- Consulting a legal professional for advice on contesting the decision.
Would you like more information on the process?
yes
Case Rating: *
Hey ****, since you're interested in more information, here's what you can consider:
- You can challenge the proceedings if you weren't given formal notice. It may involve proving that you weren't living there and had no knowledge of the hearings.
- You might want to request a review or appeal from the Landlord and Tenant Board.
- Consulting with a legal professional can offer more tailored advice.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!
I have proof of change in address, I have a letter from collections that only informed one tenant of the debt
Case Rating: *
Hey ****, it sounds like you might have grounds to contest your liability if you have proof of address change and weren't properly notified. Here are some steps you could consider:
- Gather all evidence proving you moved out, like change of address documents.
- Contact the collections agency with this information.
- Review your lease agreement for terms about notification requirements.
If you have further questions or need more guidance, feel free to ask!
Can I get the landlord or tenant board to sign a form removing my liability of the debt if they knew I did not live in the residence
Case Rating: *
Hey ****! Unfortunately, the Landlord and Tenant Board typically doesn't sign forms to remove liability. You might consider:
- Providing evidence to the collections agency and landlord.
- Requesting a review or appeal from the Landlord and Tenant Board.
- Consulting with a legal professional for tailored advice.
If you need more detailed assistance, feel free to ask!
How do I appeal from the Landlord and Tenant Board
Case Rating: *
Hey ****, here's how you can appeal a decision from the Landlord and Tenant Board in Ontario:
- File a request for review or appeal within 30 days of the decision.
- Ensure you have all relevant documents and evidence.
- Consider legal advice to strengthen your appeal.
Would you like more specific details on this process?
This case has already been filed against me can I walk back the liability with enough proof
Case Rating: *
Hey ****, if you have substantial proof like change of address documents and lack of notice from the Landlord and Tenant Board, you might have a chance to contest your liability. Consider these steps:
- Present your evidence to both the landlord and collections.
- File for review or appeal with the Landlord and Tenant Board promptly.
- Seek legal advice to bolster your case.
If you need more assistance or details, feel free to ask!