What happens if my roommate bails on our FAMU apartment?

So, your roommate skipped out on the rent? Take a deep breath and read-on, the outcome depends on one huge thing: what kind of lease you signed for your apartment near FAMU.

Policies vary by apartment community. The suggestions below reflect the opinions of RentTally.com writers. Always refer to your apartment contract for specific terms and conditions.

First, figure out your lease type

Most FAMU-area apartments use one of these setups:

• Individual (by-the-bedroom) lease: each roommate pays their own rent directly.
• Joint lease: everyone is on one lease and the unit rent is shared.

If you're not sure, check your lease paperwork or your resident portal. Lease type changes everything about liability.

If you're on an individual student lease

Generally, you're responsible for your portion of rent, not your roommate's. If your roommate stops paying, management usually goes after that roommate for their balance. You'll still want to protect yourself by documenting shared condition issues and keeping communication in writing.

If you're on a joint lease

This is where things get risky. In many joint lease setups, roommates are "jointly and severally" responsible — meaning if one person doesn't pay, the remaining roommates may have to cover the full rent to keep the account current. If you can't, the unit can go delinquent (and that can impact everyone on the lease).

What to do immediately (regardless of lease type)

1. Talk to your leasing office ASAP and ask what options exist (replacement roommate, transfer, etc.).
2. Put everything in writing. If you visit the office in person, send a short summary email of your conversation after you leave to document the interaction.
3. Check your lease for subletting/re-letting language and any fees.

Try to replace the roommate fast

In student housing, a replacement roommate can be the cleanest solution — but you'll want to follow the property's process. If your community offers roommate matching, ask whether it can help fill the spot.

Bottom line: don't panic — but don't ignore it either. The faster you confirm the lease terms and communicate with the office, the more options you'll have.