My roommate and I parted on bad terms. A couple of months ago she moved out without telling me and without cleaning anything. I have tried to get in touch with her several times, but have been unable to do so. A couple of days ago I received back the deposit for our apartment (the check was made out to the both of us).
I still cannot get in touch with her and I don't believe that she deserves any of the money (I had to help her pay her share of a couple of the bills). Is there any way I could deposit this check without her being there or signing the check?
If the check is payable to both of you with "AND" or "&" between your names, negotiating it without your roommate's endorsement could come back to haunt you, since your roommate could make a claim on the check up to three years later, causing the check to be returned to your bank and charged back to you. Send the check back to the apartment manager or landlord with an explanation, asking for a replacement check in your name only.
If the check lists the payee names with an "OR" or slash (/), or simply the names without any between them, you may be able to deposit it without your former roommate's endorsement. Check with your bank to see what their policy dictates.
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If the check is payable to both of you with "AND" or "&" between your names, negotiating it without your roommate's endorsement could come back to haunt you, since your roommate could make a claim on the check up to three years later, causing the check to be returned to your bank and charged back to you. Send the check back to the apartment manager or landlord with an explanation, asking for a replacement check in your name only.