Roommate in houseshare wants to end lease early.

[Mattie Covatch]

I own a house, and have a roommate.

The roommate was supposed to move in November 1, but still hasn't moved in.

The roommate already paid rent and deposit.

Roommate just told me they won't be moving in after all, and want to break their lease. Their lease was only through February.

Do I allow them to break the few month lease?

Do I make them pay rent until I find a replacement?

Is there really any good in trying to hold them to the lease as a private owner?

What would you do in this setting?

[Rob K.]

If you let the roommate find a replacement, make sure it's someone you're comfortable living with. You wouldn't want a crazy person that collects feet as a rommate.

If I were you, I would seek out a new roommate and keep the former roommate's money until that time. It sounds like you were paid for November and also a security deposit. Say you find someone to move in December 1, you could keep the first roommate's November rent and return the security deposit. Now you aren't out any money.