I need an outside perspective because my roommate and all her friends think I am the villain here.
I (26F) have been sharing a 2-bed apartment in Uptown Dallas with my roommate (27F) for 14 months. We split rent 50/50 on a $2,400/month unit. Lease is in both names.
Three weeks ago, she came home with a dog. Not a small dog. A husky. In a 900 square foot apartment in Dallas.
She did not ask me. She did not mention she was thinking about getting a dog. She just showed up with it.
The problems started immediately:
- The dog howls when she leaves for work. I work from home 3 days a week. Three days a week of howling.
- Dog hair EVERYWHERE. On the couch, on my clothes, in the kitchen. I am mildly allergic. My eyes itch constantly.
- She expects me to let the dog out during the day when she is at work because I am "home anyway."
- The apartment now has a pet deposit requirement. She told the leasing office we BOTH agreed to the dog. I got charged $250 for a pet deposit on an animal I did not agree to.
I told her this week that I am looking for a new place and will be moving out as soon as I find one, likely within 2 weeks. Our lease allows 30-day notice for roommate changes with landlord approval.
She exploded. Said I was "abandoning her" and being "dramatic over a dog." She said giving 2 weeks notice is not enough time for her to find a replacement roommate and she cannot afford $2,400 alone. She also said the dog "already bonded with both of us" and I am being heartless.
Her friends are texting me saying I am overreacting. My friends are split.
For context: our lease says no pets without both tenants' written consent and landlord approval. She got neither from me.
Am I wrong for moving out on short notice?
Not wrong. She made a unilateral decision that affects your health, your finances, and your living space without consulting you. The fact that she is upset about the CONSEQUENCES of her decision rather than acknowledging the decision itself tells you everything about her character.