Co-signer or guarantor on lease dealing with tenant's rental debt

LIST Code

HO-06-11-01-00

Title

Co-signer or guarantor on lease dealing with tenant's rental debt

Definition

Legal issues related to being a co-signer or guarantor on a residential lease and facing rental debt after the tenant fails to pay rent, is evicted, or leaves unpaid charges. This includes understanding a co-signer’s financial responsibility and options when the co-signer did not live in the rental unit. This issue covers situations where a landlord seeks payment from a co-signer for unpaid rent, fees, damages, or other lease-related charges incurred by the tenant. It often arises after nonpayment, eviction, or early termination of the lease. Legal questions may involve the scope of the co-signer agreement, whether liability is joint and several, and what charges are legally recoverable from the co-signer. It also includes understanding a co-signer’s rights and remedies, such as requesting an accounting, disputing improper charges, negotiating payment or settlement, seeking contribution from the tenant, or challenging claims that exceed the lease or guaranty terms. Legal considerations may involve contract law, landlord-tenant statutes, credit reporting impacts, and steps to protect the co-signer’s credit and finances. Includes: - Co-signer or guarantor liability for unpaid rent or fees - Rental debt after tenant eviction or nonpayment - Disputing charges assessed to a co-signer - Requesting documentation or itemized statements - Negotiating repayment or settlement of rental debt - Credit reporting issues related to co-signed leases

Location in LIST