1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:04,200 You have your daughter's boyfriend move in with you. 2 00:00:04,266 --> 00:00:06,166 We talked about sharing the rent. 3 00:00:06,233 --> 00:00:08,433 Every month when he didn't pay, he'd ignore me. 4 00:00:08,500 --> 00:00:10,934 He was taking advantage of your kindness. 5 00:00:11,400 --> 00:00:15,533 But your daughter would be responsible for 50% of what he was paying. 6 00:00:15,600 --> 00:00:17,500 -No. -She paid the phone bill, 7 00:00:17,567 --> 00:00:18,967 groceries, and the weed. 8 00:00:19,033 --> 00:00:22,266 Does anybody find it curious that the weed budget 9 00:00:22,333 --> 00:00:24,600 comes a little higher than the rent budget? 10 00:00:24,667 --> 00:00:27,166 [narrator] Now on Tribunal Justice. 11 00:00:27,233 --> 00:00:28,567 [theme music playing] 12 00:00:48,900 --> 00:00:51,967 [narrator] Today's case was filed in La Marque, Texas. 13 00:00:52,700 --> 00:00:55,333 [Byrd] Your Honor, this is case number 3044 on the calendar, 14 00:00:55,400 --> 00:00:57,800 in the matter of Benner versus Thompson. 15 00:00:57,867 --> 00:00:59,700 Parties have been sworn in. You may be seated. 16 00:00:59,767 --> 00:01:01,633 -[Acker] Thank you, Byrd. -You're welcome, Judge. 17 00:01:01,700 --> 00:01:05,400 Ms. Benner, the defendant is your daughter's ex-boyfriend, 18 00:01:05,467 --> 00:01:08,967 although at the time that the events giving rise to this lawsuit took place, 19 00:01:09,033 --> 00:01:11,800 he was not then an ex, you were all living together. 20 00:01:11,867 --> 00:01:15,867 And you're now suing him for $10,000 for unpaid rent. 21 00:01:15,934 --> 00:01:18,533 Mr. Thompson, your defense is that you paid any amounts 22 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:20,100 you were obligated to pay, 23 00:01:20,166 --> 00:01:23,600 and further, you maintain that you signed the lease 24 00:01:23,667 --> 00:01:27,367 not as a tenant, but as a cosigner. 25 00:01:27,433 --> 00:01:31,300 -That is correct. -You'll have to explain that distinction. 26 00:01:31,367 --> 00:01:33,166 But we'll get there momentarily. 27 00:01:33,233 --> 00:01:35,734 Ms. Benner, as I understand it from your complaint, 28 00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:37,567 there were two homes you shared together, 29 00:01:37,633 --> 00:01:40,200 so right now let's talk about home number one. 30 00:01:40,265 --> 00:01:42,734 In fact, can we put that up, Exhibit one? 31 00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:45,834 So you were going through a divorce, needed some help with the rent. 32 00:01:45,900 --> 00:01:46,934 He moved in. 33 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:51,033 What was the understanding about how the monies were to be divided? 34 00:01:51,100 --> 00:01:53,400 The understanding was we had a conversation, 35 00:01:53,467 --> 00:01:57,834 and we talked about sharing the rent so I didn't have to cover everything. 36 00:01:57,900 --> 00:02:01,500 I came out of a divorce where I didn't pay the rent normally, so... 37 00:02:01,567 --> 00:02:03,300 -[Acker] Were you working at the time? -No. 38 00:02:03,367 --> 00:02:06,200 Business with my husband and stay-at-home mom. 39 00:02:06,266 --> 00:02:08,066 So, most of the money was, you know-- 40 00:02:08,133 --> 00:02:10,532 -[Acker] Tough transition. -Yeah, big transition. 41 00:02:10,600 --> 00:02:14,500 And the rent on that first property was $2,200 a month? 42 00:02:14,567 --> 00:02:18,466 -Correct. -And I note on that first agreement 43 00:02:18,533 --> 00:02:21,266 that you are Sandra. Who's Janelle? 44 00:02:21,333 --> 00:02:23,667 -Janelle's my daughter. -And that was his girlfriend at the time. 45 00:02:23,734 --> 00:02:28,200 But on that first lease, he is in fact named as one of the tenants. 46 00:02:28,266 --> 00:02:30,100 And you actually initialed portions of that lease? 47 00:02:30,166 --> 00:02:32,934 -Yeah. -So, I'm gonna give you an occasion now 48 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:35,433 to explain to the court what you mean 49 00:02:35,500 --> 00:02:39,966 when you say you signed the lease as a cosigner and not as a tenant. 50 00:02:40,033 --> 00:02:43,466 Because as I read that lease, you are Nathan Thompson, are you not? 51 00:02:43,533 --> 00:02:45,667 -[Nathan] I am. -And you lived there, did you not? 52 00:02:45,734 --> 00:02:47,834 -I did. -So, how on earth are you not a tenant? 53 00:02:47,900 --> 00:02:49,966 [Nathan] Well, she didn't work, 54 00:02:50,033 --> 00:02:52,000 and the youngest daughter didn't work as well. 55 00:02:52,066 --> 00:02:56,367 The only people that worked were myself and my ex, Janelle. 56 00:02:56,433 --> 00:03:01,400 So she's not going to be able to get any sort of agreement on leasing a home 57 00:03:01,467 --> 00:03:02,834 without any source of income. 58 00:03:02,900 --> 00:03:06,834 So I told her I would do my best to helping her out, and her family out, 59 00:03:06,900 --> 00:03:09,967 and where I was living prior to that, I was living fine. 60 00:03:10,033 --> 00:03:13,333 And while it's very noble, all well and good... 61 00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:15,500 -Mm-hmm. -...that you put your credit on the line, 62 00:03:15,567 --> 00:03:17,266 -you also put your name on the line. -Right. 63 00:03:17,333 --> 00:03:18,934 -So that makes you a tenant. -Okay. 64 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:22,567 And in fact, did you not agree that you were to pay $900 a month? 65 00:03:22,633 --> 00:03:25,633 I agreed I would pay as much as I could month-to-month. 66 00:03:25,700 --> 00:03:28,600 [Acker] Okay, I would like to direct your attention to, 67 00:03:28,667 --> 00:03:32,166 I believe it is plaintiff's Exhibit three. 68 00:03:32,233 --> 00:03:34,200 There's a text message from you, sir, 69 00:03:34,266 --> 00:03:38,466 challenging the plaintiff's position that you're responsible for utilities 70 00:03:38,533 --> 00:03:41,966 because you say the agreement was $900 a month. 71 00:03:42,033 --> 00:03:46,900 So where in that text message do you say, "Or whatever I can pay"? 72 00:03:46,966 --> 00:03:49,667 Well, in that text message, 73 00:03:49,734 --> 00:03:52,767 it was agreed upon that I would try to pay 900. 74 00:03:52,834 --> 00:03:54,834 [Acker] I actually didn't see that you said, 75 00:03:54,900 --> 00:03:57,500 -"I'm going to try to pay $900 a month." -[Nathan] Right. 76 00:03:57,567 --> 00:04:00,467 You said the agreement was $900 a month. 77 00:04:00,533 --> 00:04:04,100 You were paying 900. Janelle, your daughter, your then-girlfriend, 78 00:04:04,166 --> 00:04:06,834 she was supposed to be paying for groceries... 79 00:04:06,900 --> 00:04:08,000 -Yeah. -...and weed. 80 00:04:08,066 --> 00:04:10,500 Then you had to pick up the groceries and weed expenses, 81 00:04:10,567 --> 00:04:12,834 -so you didn't have money for rent. -[Nathan] Correct. 82 00:04:12,900 --> 00:04:18,200 Does anybody find it curious that the weed line item in the budget 83 00:04:18,266 --> 00:04:21,567 comes little higher than the rent line item in the budget? 84 00:04:21,632 --> 00:04:22,900 -[Nathan] I do. -Yeah. 85 00:04:22,967 --> 00:04:25,500 I didn't know about the weed part until that text message, 86 00:04:25,567 --> 00:04:29,000 but the agreement was that she was to pay for their groceries and their phone bills. 87 00:04:29,066 --> 00:04:30,433 That was her contribution. 88 00:04:30,500 --> 00:04:33,533 Were you at home during the day or were you working outside of home? 89 00:04:33,600 --> 00:04:36,133 I was home most of the time. My income at the time 90 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:41,567 was my husband contributing to the agreed spousal support to help me with rent. 91 00:04:41,633 --> 00:04:44,033 And my younger daughter, she had just barely turned 18. 92 00:04:44,100 --> 00:04:46,667 That's really a key part of his position 93 00:04:46,734 --> 00:04:48,633 is that you were actually overcharging him. 94 00:04:48,700 --> 00:04:52,700 Because then in the later communication, he actually says there are four people. 95 00:04:52,767 --> 00:04:55,933 "I was always overpaying. I should have only been paying 550. 96 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:57,567 There were four of us in the home." 97 00:04:57,633 --> 00:05:01,500 -What's your response to that? -Well, honestly, 900 for two people 98 00:05:01,567 --> 00:05:04,834 isn't even half the rent if you're going to split it up between four people. 99 00:05:04,900 --> 00:05:06,700 -No, the rent was 2,200, right? -[Sandra] Exactly. 100 00:05:06,767 --> 00:05:08,367 It's not even half. 101 00:05:08,433 --> 00:05:10,967 My daughter needed a place to live as well with me having to move out 102 00:05:11,033 --> 00:05:13,333 and get, you know, a place to live. 103 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:15,967 They had talked about moving out in that area a couple of years before. 104 00:05:16,033 --> 00:05:19,100 So it just kind of worked out that we all went together. 105 00:05:19,166 --> 00:05:22,567 And then in December, you all moved to another home. 106 00:05:22,633 --> 00:05:24,533 Can we put up home number two? 107 00:05:24,600 --> 00:05:26,834 And this home, there was another lease, 108 00:05:26,900 --> 00:05:29,800 -and that was a one-year term. Correct? -[Sandra] Correct. 109 00:05:29,867 --> 00:05:31,867 -And you signed it in December? -Correct. 110 00:05:31,934 --> 00:05:33,500 [Acker] And when did you move out? 111 00:05:33,567 --> 00:05:34,867 -July. -[Acker] July. 112 00:05:34,933 --> 00:05:36,633 So that left five more months on the lease. 113 00:05:36,700 --> 00:05:37,533 Correct. 114 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:40,266 [Acker] Now, if I'm just looking at the letter of the lease, 115 00:05:40,332 --> 00:05:42,266 why shouldn't I hold you liable for that? 116 00:05:42,332 --> 00:05:43,867 Your name's on the lease. 117 00:05:43,933 --> 00:05:48,467 Well, considering the circumstances of me leaving her daughter, 118 00:05:48,533 --> 00:05:51,300 I'm not going to pay for a home, one I'm not living in, 119 00:05:51,367 --> 00:05:53,700 and I have to go now find my own place to live. 120 00:05:53,767 --> 00:05:58,300 And I'm not going to stay in a home with that kind of uncomfortability 121 00:05:58,367 --> 00:06:01,266 of being in this home and having to pay that amount of money still. 122 00:06:01,333 --> 00:06:05,066 So sounds like you're suggesting that you were constructively evicted 123 00:06:05,133 --> 00:06:07,467 because of the tumultuous nature 124 00:06:07,533 --> 00:06:09,533 of your relationship with the plaintiff's daughter. 125 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:10,834 -Is that where you're going? -Yes. 126 00:06:10,900 --> 00:06:15,033 So tell me about what happened that resulted in your having to leave. 127 00:06:15,100 --> 00:06:19,133 Um, we weren't getting along. We were starting to resent each other a lot. 128 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:21,066 There was a lot of tension within the household. 129 00:06:21,133 --> 00:06:23,000 Was there any violence? 130 00:06:23,066 --> 00:06:25,200 -I wouldn't-- There was never any... -Threats of violence? 131 00:06:25,266 --> 00:06:27,300 -...physical violence or anything. -Arguing? 132 00:06:27,367 --> 00:06:30,667 -Yelling? -[Nathan] Arguing, crude verbal words. 133 00:06:30,734 --> 00:06:33,500 It just for me was too toxic to stay. 134 00:06:33,567 --> 00:06:36,800 And then it got to a point to where I just started sleeping on the couch, 135 00:06:36,867 --> 00:06:38,266 while she slept in the room. 136 00:06:38,332 --> 00:06:41,467 I was avoiding the whole concept of just being around her. 137 00:06:41,533 --> 00:06:43,767 So just to be clear, when you say "she," 138 00:06:43,834 --> 00:06:46,200 you're not talking about the plaintiff, you're talking about 139 00:06:46,266 --> 00:06:48,467 -your then-girlfriend. -No, I'm talking about my ex. 140 00:06:48,533 --> 00:06:50,533 And so, how long did this go on 141 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:52,800 -before you had to leave? -About a month, month and a half 142 00:06:52,867 --> 00:06:56,834 until I finally called it quits and decided it was time for me to just leave. 143 00:06:56,900 --> 00:07:01,233 Sometimes your sanity is better off when you leave the toxicity. 144 00:07:01,300 --> 00:07:03,934 -Correct. -However, every toxic relationship 145 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:06,200 does not provide an excuse for breaking a lease. 146 00:07:06,266 --> 00:07:07,800 And you ended up paying the rent, yes? 147 00:07:07,867 --> 00:07:11,633 Yeah, I mean, the problem started in June of 2023 148 00:07:11,700 --> 00:07:14,166 when his car broke down and he had to get a new car, 149 00:07:14,233 --> 00:07:16,600 which I understood, and that's why I was trying to be understanding. 150 00:07:16,667 --> 00:07:19,934 And my daughter helped him pay with the deposit on the car. 151 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:23,633 And that's when that was the beginning of not getting the agreed amount 152 00:07:23,700 --> 00:07:25,700 -every month. -Yeah, I think, Mr. Thompson, 153 00:07:25,767 --> 00:07:29,133 I mean, you know, if you're going to be fair about this, 154 00:07:29,200 --> 00:07:32,667 because of her, you didn't have to pay full rent every month. 155 00:07:32,734 --> 00:07:34,367 Just like because of you, 156 00:07:34,433 --> 00:07:37,700 they were able to get income-qualified for this home. 157 00:07:37,767 --> 00:07:40,266 But because of her, she was subsidizing you. 158 00:07:40,332 --> 00:07:42,533 So, she carried you. Judge DiMango. 159 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:44,767 I have to say, I think you got a raw deal here. 160 00:07:44,834 --> 00:07:50,467 First of all, you were one person paying $900 to three family members of hers. 161 00:07:50,533 --> 00:07:53,500 So you were covering 11, $1,200 162 00:07:53,567 --> 00:07:55,800 for three of your family members. 163 00:07:55,867 --> 00:07:58,667 -How old is Janelle? -Twenty-eight? 164 00:07:58,734 --> 00:07:59,933 -Yeah. -[DiMango] She's 28. 165 00:08:00,066 --> 00:08:03,667 -You are how old, sir, 32? -30... just turned 33. 166 00:08:03,734 --> 00:08:05,433 -And you are 62. -Correct. 167 00:08:05,500 --> 00:08:10,600 So you have your daughter's 32-year-old boyfriend at the time 168 00:08:10,667 --> 00:08:13,333 move in with you. You're not working. 169 00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:17,800 If it weren't for him, you and your two daughters would be out on the street. 170 00:08:17,867 --> 00:08:22,000 Because it's his income that helped make you get through 171 00:08:22,066 --> 00:08:24,567 your application process. 172 00:08:24,633 --> 00:08:25,934 Why weren't you working? 173 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:27,500 [dramatic music playing] 174 00:08:27,567 --> 00:08:30,200 [narrator] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 175 00:08:30,266 --> 00:08:32,000 What was your arrangement with Janelle? Anything? 176 00:08:32,066 --> 00:08:36,834 Just that she paid the phone bill and picked up the groceries and the weed. 177 00:08:36,900 --> 00:08:39,967 Something had to give. I mean, I doubt you want to give up food. 178 00:08:40,033 --> 00:08:42,600 -[Nathan] Right. -Especially not if they're smoking weed. 179 00:08:42,667 --> 00:08:44,265 [dramatic music playing] 180 00:08:45,266 --> 00:08:46,867 [main theme playing] 181 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:50,400 [narrator] Sandra Benner says her daughter's former live-in boyfriend, 182 00:08:50,467 --> 00:08:53,033 Nathan Thompson, was a deadbeat tenant, 183 00:08:53,100 --> 00:08:55,233 and owes $10,000 in back rent. 184 00:08:55,300 --> 00:08:58,200 But Nathan says after splitting up with her daughter, 185 00:08:58,266 --> 00:09:02,133 he was forced to move on because staying became a nightmare. 186 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:08,266 It's his income that helped make you get through your application process. 187 00:09:08,333 --> 00:09:09,734 Why weren't you working? 188 00:09:09,800 --> 00:09:12,233 Well, after ten years of marriage, I gave up my career 189 00:09:12,300 --> 00:09:14,333 -to help support my husband. -[DiMango] What was your career? 190 00:09:14,400 --> 00:09:15,900 I was a legal assistant. 191 00:09:15,967 --> 00:09:19,734 I gave up my career to help support my husband with his business. 192 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:22,033 He's an electrical contractor. And be a stay-home mom. 193 00:09:22,100 --> 00:09:24,133 [DiMango] I mean, I'm still having the problem 194 00:09:24,200 --> 00:09:27,567 with him paying $900 as one person, 195 00:09:27,633 --> 00:09:30,500 and you only paying, what you say in your papers, 1,100, 196 00:09:30,567 --> 00:09:33,633 even though your rent was 21, for three people. So... 197 00:09:33,700 --> 00:09:36,066 The 900 was supposed to be for him and Janelle. 198 00:09:36,133 --> 00:09:38,100 -That was their-- -So it's your daughter 199 00:09:38,165 --> 00:09:41,900 that was responsible for 50% of what he was paying. 200 00:09:41,967 --> 00:09:44,800 -Your daughter was responsible for $450. -She would have been. 201 00:09:44,867 --> 00:09:47,066 -Yeah, she would have been. -You chose not to sue your daughter. 202 00:09:47,133 --> 00:09:49,100 No, they agreed that he would pay the 900 203 00:09:49,165 --> 00:09:52,533 -and she would pay for their groceries... -[DiMango] How much were your groceries 204 00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:54,734 and your phone bills? 205 00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:58,633 Well, the phone bill I know was, my portion of it was $70. 206 00:09:58,700 --> 00:10:02,533 -[DiMango] Seventy. Mm. -And that was between two. 207 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:06,867 And then grocery bills, I'd probably say less than 200 every two weeks. 208 00:10:06,934 --> 00:10:10,000 How long were you dating the plaintiff's daughter 209 00:10:10,066 --> 00:10:12,066 -before you moved in together? -Just under seven years. 210 00:10:12,133 --> 00:10:13,600 -Under seven years? -Mm-hmm. 211 00:10:13,667 --> 00:10:16,300 Don't pull the trigger too fast on the wedding, all right? 212 00:10:16,367 --> 00:10:19,000 And what was your arrangement with Janelle? Anything? 213 00:10:19,066 --> 00:10:24,166 Just that she paid the phone bill and picked up the groceries and the weed. 214 00:10:24,233 --> 00:10:25,633 [soft chuckling] 215 00:10:25,700 --> 00:10:28,467 Something had to give. I mean, you should have given up something. 216 00:10:28,533 --> 00:10:30,300 I doubt you want to give up food. 217 00:10:30,367 --> 00:10:32,400 -[Nathan] Right. -Especially not if they're smoking weed. 218 00:10:32,467 --> 00:10:34,567 -[Nathan] I was gonna say. -[Sandra] That's a lot of groceries. 219 00:10:34,633 --> 00:10:38,333 [DiMango] I'm always amazed this is even part of a conversation. 220 00:10:38,400 --> 00:10:42,033 You're talking about, I can't afford to live, but I can afford to get high. 221 00:10:42,100 --> 00:10:44,300 Then you want to complain that you can't live. 222 00:10:44,367 --> 00:10:47,834 Well, did you have ups and downs in your relationship with Janelle? 223 00:10:47,900 --> 00:10:49,700 -Oh, plenty. -Were you witness to any of those 224 00:10:49,767 --> 00:10:51,033 -ups and downs? -[Sandra] Absolutely. 225 00:10:51,100 --> 00:10:53,133 So you knew it was a difficult relationship? 226 00:10:53,200 --> 00:10:55,633 -Yeah. -I love the term, "it's complicated." 227 00:10:55,700 --> 00:10:58,867 It was complicated that he now has to stay in this home. 228 00:10:58,934 --> 00:11:05,066 And not only are you asking for, I believe it's five months of back rent, 229 00:11:05,133 --> 00:11:07,967 and you're asking for four months of future rent 230 00:11:08,033 --> 00:11:10,834 because he left the lease prematurely, 231 00:11:10,900 --> 00:11:15,900 and unless we find that it was a toxic, intolerable, untenable relationship. 232 00:11:15,967 --> 00:11:18,367 And what if your daughter got a new boyfriend? 233 00:11:18,433 --> 00:11:22,266 I'm not so sure I would be comfortable imposing on him an obligation 234 00:11:22,333 --> 00:11:24,633 to pay the balance of the lease. 235 00:11:24,700 --> 00:11:27,800 Especially that your husband has been pretty diligent 236 00:11:27,867 --> 00:11:29,767 in pay-- Do you have a court order for maintenance? 237 00:11:29,834 --> 00:11:32,633 Just now, as of December, and he hasn't been that diligent. 238 00:11:32,700 --> 00:11:35,834 I was basically living off of my savings after money I got 239 00:11:35,900 --> 00:11:37,500 when my mom passed away too. 240 00:11:37,567 --> 00:11:41,600 I think this is a very unusual situation for a landlord-tenant breach, 241 00:11:41,667 --> 00:11:44,934 and, um, I'm going to pass it on to Judge Levy. 242 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:47,367 [Levy] Thank you. So, Ms. Benner, 243 00:11:47,433 --> 00:11:49,867 when was it that he stopped paying rent 244 00:11:49,934 --> 00:11:53,667 on the first place? When his car crapped out and he had to buy another one? 245 00:11:53,734 --> 00:11:55,300 Yeah, June of 2023. 246 00:11:55,367 --> 00:11:59,467 So you know that he's having financial difficulties in June of 2023? 247 00:11:59,533 --> 00:12:00,800 July of '23? 248 00:12:00,867 --> 00:12:02,700 -[Sandra] Mm. Any-- -August, September, 249 00:12:02,767 --> 00:12:05,533 October, November, December. 250 00:12:05,600 --> 00:12:08,533 -He's not paying you rent. Right? -Correct. 251 00:12:08,600 --> 00:12:11,734 And then you thought it was a good idea to move out of that house, 252 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:14,967 and go from a house you're paying $2,200 to, 253 00:12:15,033 --> 00:12:17,633 to $2,800 to. 254 00:12:17,700 --> 00:12:19,100 And you let him move in with you 255 00:12:19,166 --> 00:12:22,100 despite knowing that he did not pay the last six months 256 00:12:22,166 --> 00:12:23,500 because he didn't have money. 257 00:12:23,567 --> 00:12:25,533 -Do I have that right? -Correct. 258 00:12:25,600 --> 00:12:28,600 In your complaint, you say that you believe 259 00:12:28,667 --> 00:12:31,166 that the defendant took advantage of your kindness. 260 00:12:31,233 --> 00:12:33,734 -Mm-hmm. -So when you had to get out of your house 261 00:12:33,800 --> 00:12:36,767 with your two daughters in December of 2022, 262 00:12:36,834 --> 00:12:41,734 you were in the middle of the divorce. You needed to find a place ASAP, right? 263 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:43,934 -Yes. -Why not just get one without him? 264 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:45,900 I tried to. I actually tried to move to Arizona, 265 00:12:45,967 --> 00:12:49,400 but because I couldn't prove that I could make three times the rent. 266 00:12:49,467 --> 00:12:52,333 My daughter had talked about moving in the area-- 267 00:12:52,400 --> 00:12:54,033 [Levy] Stop. Hold on one second. 268 00:12:54,100 --> 00:12:56,200 You couldn't rent a place. That's his whole point. 269 00:12:56,266 --> 00:12:58,533 Without him, you couldn't get on a lease. 270 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:02,867 So you got a $2,200 house that you all agreed to rent together. 271 00:13:02,934 --> 00:13:04,300 How many bedrooms? 272 00:13:04,367 --> 00:13:06,233 Three, uh-- Yeah, three. 273 00:13:06,300 --> 00:13:09,200 [Levy] Right. You had one, your younger daughter had one, 274 00:13:09,266 --> 00:13:12,600 and he shared one with your older daughter, his girlfriend. 275 00:13:12,667 --> 00:13:14,200 Who had the biggest bedroom? 276 00:13:14,266 --> 00:13:15,734 -[Sandra] I did. -You had the master? 277 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:17,400 Is that why you paid more in rent? 278 00:13:17,467 --> 00:13:19,800 -Generally, yes. -Okay, well, let me ask you this. 279 00:13:19,867 --> 00:13:24,767 If you have $2,200, and if you divide it by just the number of bedrooms, 280 00:13:24,834 --> 00:13:27,767 that equals $734 per bedroom. 281 00:13:27,834 --> 00:13:32,200 So if you're just charging rent based upon common areas and bedrooms, 282 00:13:32,266 --> 00:13:34,900 it would be 734 each a month. 283 00:13:34,967 --> 00:13:37,467 Your bedroom and your younger daughter's bedroom 284 00:13:37,533 --> 00:13:40,165 was 1,468 a month when you combine it. 285 00:13:40,233 --> 00:13:42,233 And he would have paid that much less. 286 00:13:42,300 --> 00:13:44,633 Why weren't you paying 1,468 a month? 287 00:13:44,700 --> 00:13:46,700 I never thought of doing the math that way, to be honest. 288 00:13:46,767 --> 00:13:48,867 How do you not think about the math? You got three bedrooms. 289 00:13:48,934 --> 00:13:50,900 -We weren't doing it by bedroom. -Whoever gets a bedroom 290 00:13:50,967 --> 00:13:52,734 has to equally split the rent. 291 00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:56,967 Otherwise, he's subsidizing you. 292 00:13:57,033 --> 00:14:00,600 Only reason why I bring it up is because you said that you felt as though 293 00:14:00,667 --> 00:14:03,000 he was taking advantage of your kindness. 294 00:14:03,066 --> 00:14:04,066 How do you figure that? 295 00:14:04,133 --> 00:14:06,567 Well, every month when he didn't pay and he wasn't contributing 296 00:14:06,633 --> 00:14:09,533 and he'd ignore me, and I kept putting up with it. 297 00:14:09,600 --> 00:14:12,967 And while he's going out frisbee golfing and golfing and fishing 298 00:14:13,033 --> 00:14:15,600 -and doing other things-- -[Levy] All this makes sense. Which is why 299 00:14:15,667 --> 00:14:18,934 there's a theory in the law that says, you know, that if you, as the plaintiff, 300 00:14:19,000 --> 00:14:21,867 know there's no reasonable expectation that he's going to be able to pay, 301 00:14:21,934 --> 00:14:24,467 then your decision to allow him into the second house 302 00:14:24,533 --> 00:14:26,433 is a you problem, not a him problem. 303 00:14:26,500 --> 00:14:27,533 [dramatic music playing] 304 00:14:27,600 --> 00:14:30,200 [narrator] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 305 00:14:30,266 --> 00:14:35,667 Your husband wasn't paying 1,950, he was paying over $5,000 a month, right? 306 00:14:35,734 --> 00:14:39,165 That's what you said under oath. Did you lie to the judge or are you lying to us? 307 00:14:39,233 --> 00:14:40,734 [dramatic music playing] 308 00:14:41,834 --> 00:14:43,433 [main theme playing] 309 00:14:43,900 --> 00:14:47,567 [narrator] Sandra Benner is suing her daughter's ex-boyfriend, Nathan Thompson, 310 00:14:47,633 --> 00:14:51,266 for $10,000 in back rent when they all lived together. 311 00:14:51,333 --> 00:14:54,100 Nathan says Sandra used him to get the lease, 312 00:14:54,165 --> 00:14:57,233 and after breaking up with her daughter, he had no choice 313 00:14:57,300 --> 00:14:59,400 but to leave the toxic environment. 314 00:14:59,467 --> 00:15:02,433 So now you move into the second house, $2,800 a month. 315 00:15:02,500 --> 00:15:05,433 And you hear and you see the arguing that's going on 316 00:15:05,500 --> 00:15:08,133 -between your daughter and him, right? -Yeah. 317 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:11,166 What you're saying is that he still had an obligation to pay his rent. 318 00:15:11,233 --> 00:15:13,066 -Yes. -So why not tell your older daughter 319 00:15:13,133 --> 00:15:17,000 "Move in with me in the master bedroom so he can have the other bedroom by himself"? 320 00:15:17,066 --> 00:15:19,567 Because that's fair. Why didn't you do that? 321 00:15:19,633 --> 00:15:22,200 -I didn't think of it at the time. -Of course not because what you were doing 322 00:15:22,266 --> 00:15:24,200 is you figured-- 'Cause you with your legal background 323 00:15:24,266 --> 00:15:28,166 figured you're just gonna let the rent keep going, and going, and going, 324 00:15:28,233 --> 00:15:30,934 and eventually you were gonna send him that letter like you did, 325 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:32,100 the 60-day notice. 326 00:15:32,165 --> 00:15:35,500 And when he didn't respond to you, you went to his job, didn't you? 327 00:15:35,567 --> 00:15:38,433 No, I didn't know if he got the email, I didn't know if he would, and I-- 328 00:15:38,500 --> 00:15:40,900 So you waltzed yourself down to his job. 329 00:15:40,967 --> 00:15:42,367 [banging] 330 00:15:42,433 --> 00:15:47,066 "I need to speak to Mr. Thompson about the fact that he skipped out on rent." 331 00:15:47,133 --> 00:15:49,467 How do you think that was going to make him look to his bosses? 332 00:15:49,533 --> 00:15:51,200 I didn't approach it that way, first of all. 333 00:15:51,266 --> 00:15:53,333 [Levy] There's a lot of things that you didn't seem to approach 334 00:15:53,400 --> 00:15:55,165 that are logical to everybody else. 335 00:15:55,233 --> 00:15:57,900 How much was your husband paying in expenses, by the way? 336 00:15:57,967 --> 00:16:00,166 'Cause that seemed to be a big part of your income. 337 00:16:00,233 --> 00:16:03,367 How much was he paying in expenses, say, in 2022? 338 00:16:03,433 --> 00:16:06,734 Well, sometimes I'd get 1,950, sometimes I'd get 900. 339 00:16:06,800 --> 00:16:11,367 So he was only paying sometimes not even $2,000 a month in 2022? 340 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:13,266 -Correct. -[Levy] Okay. 341 00:16:13,333 --> 00:16:14,867 Show this to the plaintiff, please. 342 00:16:14,934 --> 00:16:18,967 I'm showing you what's been identified as an income and expense declaration. 343 00:16:19,033 --> 00:16:20,867 -See your signature on the bottom? -Yes. 344 00:16:20,934 --> 00:16:23,066 -June 28th, 2022. -Yeah. 345 00:16:23,133 --> 00:16:26,200 This is a document that you filled out with respect to the divorce proceeding 346 00:16:26,266 --> 00:16:29,266 -with your husband, correct? -Yes. 347 00:16:29,333 --> 00:16:31,500 Five thousand, four hundred and twenty-nine dollars. 348 00:16:31,567 --> 00:16:34,000 So your husband wasn't paying 1,950, 349 00:16:34,066 --> 00:16:37,200 he was paying over $5,000 a month, right? 350 00:16:38,333 --> 00:16:40,700 That's what you said under oath. Did you lie to the judge 351 00:16:40,767 --> 00:16:42,900 -or are you lying to us? -No, I wasn't lying to the judge, 352 00:16:42,967 --> 00:16:46,300 and this was based on, um, what he told me our income was for that year. 353 00:16:46,367 --> 00:16:48,100 -That's how we calculated it. -That's not income, 354 00:16:48,165 --> 00:16:49,867 income's on page two. 355 00:16:49,934 --> 00:16:52,100 -This was unfortunately-- -I'm asking you about-- Listen. 356 00:16:52,165 --> 00:16:54,467 What are you claiming poverty to him for? 357 00:16:54,533 --> 00:16:56,133 That's exactly what you're doing. 358 00:16:56,200 --> 00:16:59,333 That's what she did. And not for nothing, you're not off the hook either 359 00:16:59,400 --> 00:17:01,166 because you owed that 900 bucks 360 00:17:01,233 --> 00:17:04,300 until that first lease was up, as far as I'm concerned. 361 00:17:04,367 --> 00:17:07,633 And your efforts to try to undermine that to Judge Acker-- Mm-mm. Not good. 362 00:17:07,700 --> 00:17:08,700 I have nothing further. 363 00:17:08,767 --> 00:17:13,867 Just so we're clear, from December 2022, 364 00:17:13,934 --> 00:17:17,567 until February 2024, 365 00:17:17,633 --> 00:17:19,633 -you were getting $900 a month. -[Sandra] Yes. 366 00:17:19,700 --> 00:17:22,266 And then when you had that $500 increase, 367 00:17:22,333 --> 00:17:24,266 -you didn't increase his portion. -No. 368 00:17:24,333 --> 00:17:26,500 [Acker] You were expecting $900 a month. 369 00:17:26,567 --> 00:17:31,467 Mr. Thompson, let's just say I'm with you about the time that you moved out. 370 00:17:31,533 --> 00:17:34,934 You're still living there in March 2024, correct? 371 00:17:35,000 --> 00:17:37,133 -Yes, Your Honor. -You pay $20. 372 00:17:37,200 --> 00:17:38,700 Do you think that's fair? 373 00:17:38,767 --> 00:17:41,166 In April, you paid nothing. 374 00:17:41,233 --> 00:17:44,100 In May, while you're still there, you paid nothing. 375 00:17:44,166 --> 00:17:47,166 In June, still there, nothing. 376 00:17:47,233 --> 00:17:48,633 July, you moved out. 377 00:17:48,700 --> 00:17:53,367 Yes, Your Honor, what had happened was I had lost my job at Coca-Cola. 378 00:17:53,433 --> 00:17:57,100 And I told her I was going to be getting a severance pay, 379 00:17:57,166 --> 00:17:58,800 and I was going to be getting some other pay 380 00:17:58,867 --> 00:18:00,900 and I'd give her as much money from that that I could, 381 00:18:00,967 --> 00:18:02,633 and I gave her that in cash. 382 00:18:02,700 --> 00:18:05,467 I think it was like $1,000 or something. 383 00:18:05,533 --> 00:18:08,467 Did he give you $1,000 cash after he got his severance? 384 00:18:08,533 --> 00:18:11,233 I don't recall getting $1,000, unless it's on that ledger. 385 00:18:11,300 --> 00:18:13,100 [Acker] "I don't recall" doesn't mean no. 386 00:18:13,166 --> 00:18:14,767 -No, I... -[Acker] It's not on the ledger. 387 00:18:14,834 --> 00:18:16,533 I don't have anything further, thank you. 388 00:18:16,600 --> 00:18:19,934 Where is your daughter? Your ex-girlfriend? Where is she now? 389 00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:22,900 Why isn't she here on behalf of one of you? 390 00:18:22,967 --> 00:18:25,000 -She's at work. -[DiMango] She could have taken the day. 391 00:18:25,066 --> 00:18:27,633 How come she's not here? How come she's not here for you? 392 00:18:27,700 --> 00:18:29,600 I understand. She didn't want to see him. 393 00:18:29,667 --> 00:18:34,700 I mean, I'm not sure how the equities look like they're falling evenly here. 394 00:18:34,767 --> 00:18:36,000 I don't have any other questions. 395 00:18:36,066 --> 00:18:38,100 Would it be fair to say that as a paralegal, 396 00:18:38,166 --> 00:18:41,834 you know that you have an obligation to mitigate your damages, right? 397 00:18:41,900 --> 00:18:43,934 So if a tenant leaves, like the defendant did, 398 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:46,800 you have an obligation to go out and try to find another tenant 399 00:18:46,867 --> 00:18:48,700 to make up his shortfall, right? 400 00:18:49,166 --> 00:18:51,066 -Right. -So, you would agree 401 00:18:51,133 --> 00:18:54,567 that you had absolutely no interest in mitigating your damages 402 00:18:54,633 --> 00:18:57,166 because that would require a complete stranger to come in 403 00:18:57,233 --> 00:18:59,266 and live in a room with your older daughter. 404 00:18:59,333 --> 00:19:00,600 -Did you do that? -No. 405 00:19:00,667 --> 00:19:02,000 Right. I have nothing further. 406 00:19:02,066 --> 00:19:04,834 We're going to retire to deliberate at this time. Thank you both. 407 00:19:05,300 --> 00:19:07,934 Court now stands in recess. This case will be recalled. 408 00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:09,300 Parties are excused. 409 00:19:09,367 --> 00:19:11,367 [dramatic music playing] 410 00:19:13,767 --> 00:19:15,767 [main theme playing] 411 00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:19,834 On the one hand, I kind of agree with you, Patricia. 412 00:19:19,900 --> 00:19:21,934 You know, it wasn't the best deal for him, 413 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:24,033 but I'm not going to revisit the deal they made. 414 00:19:24,100 --> 00:19:27,767 He said $900 a month, fair or unfair. That's the deal. 415 00:19:27,834 --> 00:19:32,133 I credit him with giving her that $1,000 that he said at the end 416 00:19:32,200 --> 00:19:34,967 because when someone says, "I don't recall if I received it." 417 00:19:35,033 --> 00:19:36,367 -They got it. -Right. Exactly. 418 00:19:36,433 --> 00:19:39,033 I credit him with that $1,000. 419 00:19:39,100 --> 00:19:41,467 Where I think her case really falls flat 420 00:19:41,533 --> 00:19:44,300 is, as you pointed out, Adam, she made no effort to mitigate. 421 00:19:44,367 --> 00:19:49,500 So, for me, the issue is, does that duty arise the month after he left? 422 00:19:49,567 --> 00:19:52,133 Because I'd actually keep him on the hook for one month. 423 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:56,166 But 30 days would have been enough time for her to try to find another roommate. 424 00:19:56,233 --> 00:20:00,033 Or is it a month and a half before, when the relationship became so toxic... 425 00:20:00,100 --> 00:20:02,900 [DiMango] That's what I would do because that would be constructive eviction. 426 00:20:02,967 --> 00:20:06,166 That's where I would go with it because I really feel it was ridiculous for her 427 00:20:06,233 --> 00:20:08,433 to think that she's got a young daughter and a boyfriend 428 00:20:08,500 --> 00:20:12,200 that's been in a relationship seven years, had been up and down and toxic. 429 00:20:12,266 --> 00:20:15,467 He should be let out from the point that the relationship was bad 430 00:20:15,533 --> 00:20:18,200 because really, they would have been on the street were it not for him. 431 00:20:18,266 --> 00:20:20,266 So I wouldn't give her any future money. 432 00:20:20,333 --> 00:20:23,900 I would go about a month and a half or whatever before the trouble started. 433 00:20:23,967 --> 00:20:26,867 My only thing is, does he owe the back rent? 434 00:20:26,934 --> 00:20:29,700 Because if you think about it, the new place, 435 00:20:29,767 --> 00:20:34,300 he was in arrears from the last place, 2,980, almost $3,000. 436 00:20:34,367 --> 00:20:37,633 Which would be for the time he lived there. She kept taking money out, 437 00:20:37,700 --> 00:20:39,500 which would be about 500 a month, 438 00:20:39,567 --> 00:20:42,266 which really is what he should have been paying in the first place. 439 00:20:42,333 --> 00:20:44,500 I would like to personally give her nothing. 440 00:20:44,567 --> 00:20:48,200 Um, the first house where they were paying $2,200 a month, 441 00:20:48,266 --> 00:20:51,967 the relationship with his girlfriend was okay at that point. 442 00:20:52,033 --> 00:20:54,433 Yes, he might have been getting the short end of the stick, 443 00:20:54,500 --> 00:20:55,934 but that was his agreement. 444 00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:59,767 He has to pay the $900 a month for that entire period. 445 00:20:59,834 --> 00:21:02,233 So what we need to do then is to look and see 446 00:21:02,300 --> 00:21:04,967 when he moved into the second home with them. 447 00:21:05,033 --> 00:21:07,066 He was paying rent in the second home, 448 00:21:07,133 --> 00:21:10,300 and she was applying it, rightfully so, to the-- 449 00:21:10,367 --> 00:21:12,867 They were even on that last, uh, the year-- 450 00:21:12,934 --> 00:21:14,934 -Is that what I know you-- -So, so, 451 00:21:15,000 --> 00:21:17,266 -first home, they were square. 452 00:21:17,333 --> 00:21:20,233 -[DiMango] Yeah. -[Acker] Second home, he paid everything, 453 00:21:20,300 --> 00:21:22,700 and he stopped paying until March. 454 00:21:22,767 --> 00:21:27,333 So December, January, February, he paid $900. 455 00:21:27,400 --> 00:21:29,633 March, her ledger shows $20. 456 00:21:29,700 --> 00:21:32,133 But, you know, if we credit him for that $1,000. 457 00:21:32,200 --> 00:21:34,100 -Right. -That's a credit towards April. 458 00:21:34,166 --> 00:21:36,667 -Yeah. -Right, then you're talking May and June, 459 00:21:36,734 --> 00:21:39,867 and that's the time when the relationship started to sour. 460 00:21:39,934 --> 00:21:42,500 I would not be interested in giving her anything above and beyond. 461 00:21:42,567 --> 00:21:46,800 But let me ask you both this. What evidence of toxicity did we get? 462 00:21:46,867 --> 00:21:48,000 Because I took pains. 463 00:21:48,066 --> 00:21:50,133 -I know you did. -I said give me your best shot. 464 00:21:50,200 --> 00:21:51,800 And we don't let people out of leases 465 00:21:51,867 --> 00:21:53,867 just because they have arguments with their girlfriends 466 00:21:53,934 --> 00:21:56,333 -and sleep on the couch. -He didn't want to say... 467 00:21:56,400 --> 00:21:58,567 the heavy feeling you get walking in that house. 468 00:21:58,633 --> 00:22:01,467 -[DiMango] It's almost cruel. -It's a-- The stress 469 00:22:01,533 --> 00:22:03,033 that you feel walking in that house. 470 00:22:03,100 --> 00:22:06,633 It's not just that he felt, but sleeping on the couch. 471 00:22:06,700 --> 00:22:08,200 She didn't dispute that. 472 00:22:08,266 --> 00:22:09,633 Can I just say one thing about that? 473 00:22:09,700 --> 00:22:12,767 She said her daughter didn't even want to come to court to see him. 474 00:22:12,834 --> 00:22:14,467 -That's-- -So, if the daughter-- 475 00:22:14,533 --> 00:22:17,033 -She doesn't want to see her ex. -The point is we were gonna force them 476 00:22:17,100 --> 00:22:18,700 to all stay in the same house? 477 00:22:18,767 --> 00:22:20,800 I mean, think about what we're suggesting if we say, 478 00:22:20,867 --> 00:22:22,967 you're in an up-and-down relationship, you move out, 479 00:22:23,033 --> 00:22:25,900 and so we're just going to leave the person who you left on the hook. 480 00:22:25,967 --> 00:22:29,100 I don't think that's what we're saying. We're saying under these circumstances, 481 00:22:29,166 --> 00:22:33,400 we have a mother who brings in a boyfriend to help get a rental, 482 00:22:33,467 --> 00:22:36,567 charges him over and above what he should be paying, 483 00:22:36,633 --> 00:22:38,867 -has a daughter-- -Well-- I mean, I-- 484 00:22:38,934 --> 00:22:40,300 I'm sorry to interrupt. 485 00:22:40,367 --> 00:22:42,834 You can say what he should be paying, but he's a grown man. 486 00:22:42,900 --> 00:22:44,767 -He's 32, he's not 12. -But you're asking-- 487 00:22:44,834 --> 00:22:47,000 -Fair enough, fair enough. -This is my reasons 488 00:22:47,066 --> 00:22:49,367 why I am not comfortable giving her anything, 489 00:22:49,433 --> 00:22:52,066 and accepting the fact that he should be not responsible 490 00:22:52,133 --> 00:22:54,433 for anything at this point with regard to rent. 491 00:22:54,500 --> 00:22:55,834 Where are you, Adam? 492 00:22:55,900 --> 00:22:57,433 'Cause we don't have a verdict. 493 00:22:57,500 --> 00:23:00,734 If he moved out July 3rd, I'm going to credit his testimony 494 00:23:00,800 --> 00:23:03,834 with the relationship got sour the month before that, that would be June. 495 00:23:03,900 --> 00:23:07,066 So I would say that he would not be responsible for June, July, August, 496 00:23:07,133 --> 00:23:08,567 September, October, November, December. 497 00:23:08,633 --> 00:23:11,066 So you're taking basically the same position I'm taking. 498 00:23:11,133 --> 00:23:14,367 It's untenable to live in a home where it's just too uncomfortable. 499 00:23:14,433 --> 00:23:16,767 It's too uncomfortable for her to even show up and see him. 500 00:23:16,834 --> 00:23:18,633 So I say June 1st. 501 00:23:18,700 --> 00:23:20,934 -That's-- -And I say August 1st. 502 00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:22,433 -I say nothing. -And you say nothing 503 00:23:22,500 --> 00:23:24,633 because of the untenable position that was in. 504 00:23:24,700 --> 00:23:26,333 -Yeah, because-- -The untenable position-- 505 00:23:26,400 --> 00:23:28,700 -You think starts in June. -June 1st. 506 00:23:28,767 --> 00:23:31,200 And I'm crediting his testimony with that. 507 00:23:31,266 --> 00:23:32,767 And the mother's testimony. 508 00:23:32,834 --> 00:23:36,066 June, July, August, September, October, November, December. 509 00:23:36,133 --> 00:23:38,767 So, five months is what we're saying in the courtroom 510 00:23:38,834 --> 00:23:41,600 is what he would owe in back rent. 511 00:23:41,667 --> 00:23:42,834 But not future rent? 512 00:23:42,900 --> 00:23:46,233 Five months minus the $1,000 that he gave. 513 00:23:46,300 --> 00:23:48,700 -Basically four months' rent. -So he would owe four months' rent? 514 00:23:48,767 --> 00:23:50,633 He would owe four months, which would be 515 00:23:50,700 --> 00:23:52,800 -three thousand. -[Acker] Three thousand, six hundred. 516 00:23:52,867 --> 00:23:54,967 -Right. -I don't think she's entitled to anything. 517 00:23:55,033 --> 00:23:58,066 I'll compromise to give for the 3,600. 518 00:23:58,133 --> 00:24:00,567 -So you two now are on the same page. -[Acker] Now we have a verdict 519 00:24:00,633 --> 00:24:02,467 and a dissent, $3,600. 520 00:24:02,533 --> 00:24:04,567 -$3,600. -Very good. 521 00:24:04,633 --> 00:24:06,633 [dramatic music playing] 522 00:24:07,333 --> 00:24:10,667 Court is back in session. I remind both parties, you're still under oath. 523 00:24:10,734 --> 00:24:11,834 -[Acker] Thank you, Byrd. -Mm-hmm. 524 00:24:11,900 --> 00:24:14,233 Uh, we've deliberated. We've reached a verdict. 525 00:24:14,300 --> 00:24:16,333 Our verdict is not unanimous. 526 00:24:16,400 --> 00:24:18,867 Judge DiMango is dissenting from this verdict 527 00:24:18,934 --> 00:24:21,500 because she thinks that when things became so toxic 528 00:24:21,567 --> 00:24:23,500 between the defendant and your daughter 529 00:24:23,567 --> 00:24:25,567 that it's just unfair, unequitable. 530 00:24:25,633 --> 00:24:29,367 And that he essentially was constructively evicted long before he moved out. 531 00:24:29,433 --> 00:24:32,133 So she does not join in this verdict. 532 00:24:32,200 --> 00:24:37,600 Judge Levy and I do believe that you have some legal obligation to the plaintiff. 533 00:24:37,667 --> 00:24:42,934 And I will say that my colleagues actually made some very good points for you 534 00:24:43,000 --> 00:24:46,767 because they reminded me that you were sleeping on a couch for 30 days, 535 00:24:46,834 --> 00:24:49,633 during which time I became convinced that it's not fair 536 00:24:49,700 --> 00:24:52,200 to hold somebody to the full amount of rent 537 00:24:52,266 --> 00:24:55,166 when they can't even use the bedroom that they're paying for. 538 00:24:55,233 --> 00:24:57,367 But we've looked at the lease and we conclude 539 00:24:57,433 --> 00:25:01,834 that we are only going to hold you liable for the rent through June 540 00:25:01,900 --> 00:25:05,333 because it was after that period that you can't even sleep in your bedroom, 541 00:25:05,400 --> 00:25:07,567 and that you ultimately moved out. 542 00:25:07,633 --> 00:25:11,500 We also credit your testimony that you gave the plaintiff $1,000. 543 00:25:11,567 --> 00:25:15,200 I note, ma'am, you didn't dispute it. You just said, "I don't recall." 544 00:25:15,266 --> 00:25:17,066 So we're crediting you with that $1,000 545 00:25:17,133 --> 00:25:19,367 and it is therefore the judgment of this court 546 00:25:19,433 --> 00:25:22,767 that you pay the plaintiff $3,600. 547 00:25:22,834 --> 00:25:24,633 That's our verdict. Everybody be well. 548 00:25:24,700 --> 00:25:26,767 -[gavel bangs] -[Byrd] This case is now concluded. 549 00:25:26,834 --> 00:25:29,467 Parties are excused. You may step out. 550 00:25:32,934 --> 00:25:35,400 I figured if I can help them, help them. 551 00:25:35,467 --> 00:25:39,934 I paid the Wi-Fi, the water, the trash, the renters insurance, 552 00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:41,100 the move-in costs. 553 00:25:41,166 --> 00:25:45,767 Just the whole "whose is what" and "what is where" 554 00:25:45,834 --> 00:25:47,734 and "how much is this" and "how much is that," 555 00:25:47,800 --> 00:25:50,000 it just became way too financially difficult. 556 00:25:50,066 --> 00:25:51,800 No more roommates. No. 557 00:25:51,867 --> 00:25:53,633 It just got really bad. 558 00:25:53,700 --> 00:25:55,233 [narrator] Got family drama? 559 00:25:55,300 --> 00:25:58,300 Let Tribunal Justice decide your case. 560 00:25:58,367 --> 00:26:02,600 Find us on social media at TribunalJustice. 561 00:26:03,133 --> 00:26:05,133 [theme music playing]