Co-Tenancy

COTENANCY:

  You should also be careful about sharing a rental property with another tenant with whom you are not familiar. Even if both of your names are on the lease, the landlord will generally view you and your roommate as one tenant for the purposes of the lease, and each of you will be full liable for the obligations under the lease, unless your lease specifies otherwise.  For example, if your cotenant moves out of the premises, the landlord may hold you responsible for her/his share of future and past rent. Also, if you and your cotenant have a disagreement, your landlord probably can't  lockout, evicr, or remove that person from the lease on that basis alone. As a cotenant, you can request the landlord change the locks at your expense; however , the landlord will have to provide the new key to any other tenant on the lease.

  For more information go to www.texasbar.com