I've been living with my current roommate (someone I just met on Craigslist) since November 2017 (it's been 5 months), and our joint lease is up October 2017.
It's been almost a month since I sent my roommate a cordial e-mail letting her know that I'll be looking for a roommate replacement. [Below are details regarding WHY I'm trying to leave my lease early].
Over the past month, I've been posting on Craigslist everyday to find someone to take over my portion of the lease. I am offering to subsidize $150 per month. I've gotten multiple interests (like 15+ serious responses). My roommate rejected them because she insists on someone who is in late 20s/early 30s, F, no pets (yet someone who is OK with living with a puppy).
I'd like to handle this situation peacefully, but I also need to move on with my life and start searching for my next apt. I've tried it "her way" for a month now, and it's tiresome with no endgame in sight. It's causing a lot of stress during a stressful time in my life (I am writing my PhD dissertation). These are the options I have:
The leasing agents told me that I technically do NOT need my roommate's permission. I can find a random person (as long as they pass the background check) and peace out. I'd like to be a decent person and give her a couple of options though I doubt anyone would check off all her boxes.
The alternative option is for her to sign a Roommate Release Form which takes me off the lease at a specified date. Note: it's not like I'm leaving immediately. I'd give her 4-6 weeks notice on TOP of the 4 weeks notice I've already given her. In total, she'd have 2 months notice from me.
I raised this option to her a while ago, and she said "sorry, I'm not signing anything." So, it's doubtful she changed her mind since.
I need to get out of this apartment. I am nearing the end of my PhD, which is a stressful time, and I need to focus on work.
What can I do to get out of this apartment ASAP while being fair to my current roommate?
Why am I trying to leave my lease early?
My roommate adopted a puppy about 2 months ago. She called me randomly one day and asked if it would be okay. I was in the middle of work and said that I'm open to it but would like to discuss first in person. She said that the shelter would only hold the puppy till end of day, and so I would need to give her a response ASAP. She said the puppy is housebroken, that his crate would be in her bedroom, and that she would bring the puppy to work as an emotional support dog. This sounded all good. So with some hesitation, I gave her my stamp of approval, with the caveat that I should be free to move out with sufficient notice should any issues arise (I've never lived with someone's pet so I wanted to cover my bases).
As it turns out, the puppy wasn't housebroken at all, lives in the common area (with his toys everywhere), and won't be going to work with her for a very long time (because he still needs to be trained). For the first three weeks, the puppy peed multiple times a day on our kitchen floor and living room carpet. It's gotten better, but is still problematic.
Since the puppy has been in the picture, I've been mopping multiple times a week to keep things sanitary. I actually don't mind mopping. The upsetting part is that my roommate freaks out at me for mopping; she's screamed at me for being an "anal freak who needs to chill the F out." She gets hostile whenever she sees me clean - it's gotten to the point where I can only clean when she's not around. I am indeed a bit of a clean freak, BUT I never ask her to clean or give her crap for being messy. For example, I typically do my dishes immediately after I eat my meals. She'll leave her dishes in the sink for 3-4 days - and I've NEVER complained to her because I know it'll spur an emotional outburst.
At this point, it's not just the puppy peeing (and the house smelling like urine) that's the problem. My roommate is emotionally volatile - will yell/lash out/be hostile seemingly randomly.
I have a ton more stories, but in the interest of space, I'll stop here. For reference: I've been multiple roommate situations in the past, and have always had great experiences. I'm a very low-conflict person in my personal (and work) relationships. I'm not used to dealing with very emotionally reactive people.