But the old roommate does not want to be taken off the lease. That's the problem.

Maybe a little more background would help - the landlord is a management company that owns the buildings (I believe). They own several buildings in the area and I assume that's the reason they are hesistant to remove anyone's name from the lease.

With the economy the way it's been going, there seems to be a fair amount of empty rooms in the building and they're offering free 1 month rent for new tenents.

I was hoping to avoid having the hastle of moving, it's never fun. I do also like my building and wanted to renew the lease but if I can't get this person off I will be forced to move.

Is there anybody I could call for a consultation on the matter, what legal field even addresses these kinds of claims?

I was in contact with the landlord. I was told that unless the person signs a notorized letter stating they want off the lease and giving up their security deposit there is nothing I can do.

The person is adament about staying on the lease. Not sure what I can do at this point.

Well there's a problem with that. The guy subletting is a foreign exchange student learning English with no credit history, no job verification.

So I was thinking I could just remain on the lease myself and kick the other guy off.

I don't believe it has anything to do with residency as he moved into a building less then one block away and stores no furniture at our location.

The only intention he has for continuing to be on the lease is to extort more money for the room in order to pay for the increased rent in his new location.

There was a friendship at one point but no longer as he continues to ask the current subletter for more $$ even though our rent has not gone up.

Security deposit was paid by the subletter so that is not an issue. Just wanted to see if the current person on the lease could legally challenge me from taking him off the lease even though he no longer lives at our location.

Thanks Suze, and yeah that is exactly what I meant. I guess my only remaining question would be does the old roommate have to sign anything to be taken off the lease.

I guess I should check with the landlord, just wanted to see if anyone has been in a similiar situation and had advice.

Thanks again!

Maybe I'm not explaining it correctly.

Situation: Roommate moved out before the end of the lease - hence he subletted it. Now that the lease is up and he no longer lives there I do not want him on the lease.

Reason: The person subletting is cool and I want him on the lease. The subleter also pays a set amount and the old roommate whose name is on the lease gives us a check for less.

One of my roommates moved out in June but is still on the lease till Feb. When I renew I do not want his name on the lease as he is no longer living in the apartment.

The problem is the person moved somewhere where the rent went up so they are trying to force out the tenent who is subletting and raising the rent for the room to help with the their new rent.

So can I just renew my lease without the permission or signature of the tenet who moved out?