ANSWER
At Harvard University Housing, you can be held responsible for the full rent if a co-lessee roommate doesn’t pay, because Harvard says co-lessees are jointly and severally liable. If rent isn’t paid, HUH can pursue any or all co-lessees listed on the lease, and unpaid rent can lead to legal action, including eviction.
YOUR NEXT DECISION
Use the answer to prepare your next conversation
- Read the lease now, because the signed lease controls the exact result.
- If you’re on a Harvard University Housing lease, treat the full rent as your responsibility if a co-lessee misses payment.
- If there’s a dispute with a roommate, Harvard says HUH does not mediate roommate problems; student tenants are directed to school counselors.
- If you need the official rent-charge contact, Harvard lists Accounts Receivable for student account rent questions and the Leasing Department for co-lessee questions.
HELP WITH YOUR NEXT STEP
Applying this to your housing search?
A local housing professional can help you compare local housing options and identify property-specific questions to ask before deciding.
Discuss housing optionsIf your roommate doesn’t pay, you may still owe the whole rent
Harvard University Housing says all co-lessees are responsible for the rent being paid in full each month. In a roommate situation, HUH can hold each lease signer responsible for the entire rent amount and any unpaid damage charges if a roommate leaves or doesn’t pay.
- HUH bills rent on a prorated basis for convenience, but that does not change the legal obligation.
- There is no “just your part” rule under the joint-and-several clause.
- If you pay HUH because your roommate did not, HUH says you must collect from the roommate yourself through legal means.
What HUH can do if the rent stays unpaid
Harvard’s resident policies say that if all rent and other charges are not paid, all co-lessees are subject to legal action, including eviction. HUH also says if a co-lessee does not pay or causes damage, it can pursue all or any of the co-lessees listed on the lease at its discretion.
- A late payment notice may be sent if you fall two weeks behind in rent.
- If you are in default after the first day of a month and don’t make acceptable payment arrangements, HUH reserves the right to charge a last month’s rent and a security deposit.
- The lease itself is a binding contract, and your signature commits you to pay the listed rent for the lease term whether you live there or not.
Sources
KEEP EXPLORING
More Harvard resources when you need them
Ask a follow-up about Harvard
Ask a question to get the answer first. CH2 opens a tool or broader page directly only when you ask to use or view it.