<prompt> Human: I moved into an apartment with a friend from college. He told me he lost his job last Tuesday and was gone by Wednesday night when I came home from work. This he did without telling me until I noticed his stuff was gone and messaged him to confront him about it. He took about 90 of his things and ran back to his parents in Washington DC. Our apartment is in NJ and both our names are on a 1 year lease ending in September paying half the rent 800.oo was within my budget but paying it all for the rest of the lease term is really going to set me back. Theres also a backlog of utilities he hasnt paid his way with. I cleaned up his room and Ive posted on a bunch of room search sites, even Craigslist, but what do I do if I cant find a house mate in time? I know that I might be able to take him to small claims court if it comes to that. Im sending him and his parents pictures of the bills. I know this may not be the right place for this, but please give me any suggestions you might have. Assistant: Caringexecutive nailed it: his sudden abandonment doesnt cancel his obligations under the lease.You can sue him for every penny he hung you out to dry, but that takes a while so see if you can find a sublettor if allowed in your lease in the meantime.Did his parents guarantee the lease cosign? If so, they have a financial obligation as well. Be in communication with your landlord, as they can help you get the spot filled.Human: Is that true about the landlord? Some friends have advised me not to tell them about my situation, because that would give them grounds to evict. I think that they cant evict me as long as Im able to pay, but Im still afraid Ill somehow be in violation of the leasing contract. Ill use my lunch break to read it over again in detail.  <response>: I think that they cant evict me as long as Im able to pay,It sounds like you have a good understanding. They cant evict you unless you break the lease, and you havent. Most landlords wouldnt like the extra risk of having you cover it on your own, so they would help you sublet. 