If there are multiple tenants on the same lease agreement, you should be aware that all tenants are jointly responsible for the lease. This means, for example, that a tenant is liable to the landlord for payment of the entire rent if one of the other tenants on the lease agreement has not paid their share – regardless of what has been mutually agreed between the tenants.
In addition, the tenant must be aware that partial termination of a lease agreement cannot be made without voluntary agreement with the landlord. In principle, all tenants must give notice to the landlord and thus vacate at the same time if they want to get out of the agreement. If the tenant move out without an agreement with the landlord, he or she will still be still bound by the lease even if he or she no longer live in the apartment.
However, the tenants and the landlord can agree that one tenant can terminate and vacate without continuing to be liable, and that the lease will continue with the other tenant(s). The landlord can also agree to another tenant joining; however, this is not always something you are entitled to expect the landlord to do.
The tenant should also be aware that a tenant who wishes to move out is not entitled to a refund of the deposit and prepaid rent from the landlord until the entire lease has been terminated, unless otherwise agreed with the landlord.
If you move into an apartment where other tenants already live, you should be aware that when you sign the lease agreement, you may be liable for the renovation of the property based on the condition of the property at the time the tenancy originally began. This also means that a tenant in principle may be liable for the entire renovation if the other tenants are unable to pay – regardless of what has been agreed between the tenants on the lease agreement.
Special rules may apply for unmarried couples and for spouses if their cohabitation ends.