- Rooming with a runaway minor could land you in jail.handcuffs image by Jorge Casais from Fotolia.com
If you're a runaway minor or an adult rooming with one, be aware of the legal consequences you could face. Laws regarding the signing of leases by minors could affect your living situation. In some states, runaway laws could relocate you directly to jail. Statutes vary by jurisdiction, so check your state's law or consult an attorney for legal advice. - State laws differ as to what age a person is no longer a minor, known as the "age of majority." In Maryland, a minor is anyone under 18; in Indiana, you're a minor until age 21. You're a runaway minor if you've voluntarily left the care of your parents or guardian without permission and with no intent to return, according to the website USLegal.com. If you're found by police, you may be returned to your home unless an officer has reasonable cause to believe abuse has occurred. In this case, you may be taken to a relative's home, a shelter, or another location specified by social services. If you're a habitual runaway, in some states, such as Massachusetts, you could be arrested, according to the Children's Law Center of Massachusetts.
- If you're rooming with a runaway minor, you may be in violation of the law. In Washington state, adults providing shelter to a runaway minor must report the child's location to the parents or a law-enforcement agency, according to state website Access Washington. If you fail to report, you've committed a crime called unlawful harboring of a minor, a gross misdemeanor punishable by fines or even jail.
- Know your state's laws before you sign a lease to room with a minor.apartment lease sign image by Aaron Kohr from Fotolia.com
Landlords can, and often do, refuse to allow minors to sign leases. If you're a minor in Massachusetts, for example, you can legally sign a rental lease. But you can also void the lease, meaning you can avoid the obligation, including paying rent. The exception is if the housing can be considered a necessity; this is determined by the legal system and depends on your situation. If you're the adult signing a lease with a minor who then decides to void the contract, you could be held responsible for paying all monies owed. In comparison, the law in Maryland defines lodging as a basic necessity, so the minor can't void a lease, according to the Maryland State Law Library. In all states, if tenants fail to uphold contractual obligations, the landlord can sue for unpaid rent and other damages. As the adult, you should seriously consider whether a runaway minor can handle the obligations involved in signing a lease.
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