Roommate Smoking Pot...can I Evict Her?

[Cutler]

I live in Michigan, and my roommate(who co-signed the lease with me) is frequently smoking pot in our apartment.  I have asked her to stop many times, and she refuses.  I brought the problem to my landlord's attention, but all she did was call her to remind her of the rules.  I'm fed up with the smell, the smoke aggravates my asthma, and I'm worried that she's going to get us both in trouble with the law!  I feel like calling the cops and having her arrested is the only way to get her to stop, but that would give the landlord cause to evict both of us.  I asked my landlord about this, and she said she would be willing to evict just my roommate, but would hold me responsible for all of the rent, which I can't afford.  This seems unfair, since I didn't break the lease.  Is there a way to get my roommate evicted and still get her to pay her part of the rent?

Thanks for your help!

[Michio]

Hi Cali

You need a serious dose of reality here okay? Your roommate(lets call her Sue) is NOT going to pay rent on a place she no longer lives in so don't even think this is feasible. It just won't happen, especially if she is a pothead. And the police might NOT do anything regarding the pot. In some states it is legal to smoke it...in some not. Depends on where you live and how your particular city responds to it. You also need to talk to the landlady to inform her if you do call the police so she is warned ahead of time.

You can try finding a person to replace your roommate also. Check with the landlady and ask her about this.  Use my Roommate Survival Guide to help you find someone who is responsible and compatible. Just follow it step-by-step and you will find someone who you can live with.  My book has a roommate agreement that you need to write up which covers rules(such as no smoking, no drugs, etc). The landlady is willing to work with you Cali but get real here....she needs the monthly rent, the whole monthly rent, every month.  So you take your pick. Live with a pothead who aggravates your asthma(among other things) or find money to make the monthly rent until you find someone to replace her.  I don't see where you have many choices here, since you are BOTH on the lease.(Another mistake having both people on the lease).

That is all I can come up with, sorry.

Sincerely

Sylvia Bergthold

www.aroommatesurvivalguide.