Signed Lease Tenant leaves without paying remaining rent

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shannon89

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Here is the situation...

Lease signed for a year, yr was completed, we renewed for another 6 months. 2 tenants, 1 tenant leaves for a job in Florida, leaves his things, this tenant was a boyfriend, he has a very bad temper, drinks, has 3 dui's on his record, cheats and breaks up with other tenant. For the other tenants safety (and kids) and because 2 keys were not working, tenant 1 asked leasing company to change locks. Tenant 2 shows up out of the blue to come and get his stuff, his key didn't work. He tells leasing company he was illegally evicted by the locks being changed. He then tells them he will not be paying the remaining rent.

What does tenant 1 have for legal action to make tenant 2 pay his obligation of the rent? Also, what can tenant 1 do to keep living there with her 3 children?
 
Tenant 2 was locked out.
Tenant 2 has a valid legal point.
You can sue him in small claims.
He will likely prevail.
It appears you're on your own, now.

Tenant 1 can live in the unit as long as she pays the rent in full.
 
No, I don't see this as an illegal lockout. The locks were changed for an apparent malfunction, not for the purpose of evicting him. So long as he was not refused access when he returned he does not have much of an argument. He is still responsible for the lease.
He is not necessarily on the hook for 6 months though. Some legitimate effort needs to be made to find a new tenant and minimize the damages.
 
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