I need to vent and maybe get advice. I signed a lease in NYC last year with someone I thought was a responsible co-tenant. We both agreed to split the rent—her share was around $1,703/month. She NEVER paid a full month after we moved in. I kept asking, trying to get her to pay her part, and eventually she just left without notice—left me with the full rent and bills, while she ghosted.

When I pressed her for the rent (through proper channels, texts, and formal demand letters), she filed a temporary restraining order against me. Like… excuse me?! Now I’m dealing with court dates, eviction notices, and a mountain of her unpaid balance.

It gets better—she apparently had an active eviction case from another apartment at the time she signed this lease. And somehow, the leasing company still approved her. Meanwhile, they’re coming after me for the full balance.

She works in legal—yes, seriously, she’s a paralegal—and seems to know how to game the system. I’ve been busting my a$$ trying to stay afloat, documenting everything, filed a civil suit, and may amend it to go after the landlord too. The emotional and financial toll is real.

Has anyone dealt with something similar? How do you recover unpaid rent from someone who dipped AND blocked you legally from even requesting it? Is it worth going after them solo in civil court? Any tips on garnishing wages or locating assets if I win a judgment?

I’m doing all the work myself right now—just looking for solidarity, maybe a lawyer who’s been through this or someone who can tell me it’s not all hopeless.

nyc

Location: New York