Dear Ryan,
I am a college student living with three other roommates. My roommates all went home for the summer, and I am left here by myself. We only have to pay rent for one more month until our lease is up. Two of my roommates left me checks to cover the rent, since I handle all of the bills anyway. However, the other roommate (who only moved in a few months ago) suddenly went home without leaving a rent check or telling any of us. For some reason, I don't know her phone number. I know she didn't leave for good, because all of her furniture is still here, but I don't know when she's coming back. Rent is due in a week, and I'm in a bit of a predicament. Should I pay her part, assuming that she will pay me back when I see her again? Or should I just not pay enough rent this month? I have a feeling this will not go over too well with our landlords, and I don't know what the penalty will be. What do you think?

Layla Bohm of Davis, California

This roommate of yours sounds like a deadbeat. Don't ever trust her with anything. What you should do is sell all the furniture and other possessions that she left behind, use the money to pay her part of the rent, and split what's left among the three of you who are left. Then everyone will be happy (except the miserable wretch who left you behind to pay the rent, the back-stabbing traitor).
-Ryan Thompson

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