Past Roommate Is Claiming I Owe Rent For The Month After I Moved Out.

Massachusetts, USA. I was a short term tenant in a 3bd apt from 10/1/24 - to 1/1/25 with 2 other roommates, Cameryn and Bailey. I know there was at one point a 3rd lessee, but I do not know if they were still on the lease. During the month of September, Camryn’s sibling was in the room I was in.

There was no written sublease agreement or contract that I signed. I paid all rent and utilities during my stay in full and on time. I was physically in the unit from 10/3/24 to 12/29/24, and did not prorate the rent or utilities. I paid 3 full months.

The only written records are a few texts where I stated my intention to leave “the first half 2025” and “probably spring”. I had a phone call with one of the tenants in September, and I do not recall if we agreed to any set amount of months.

My tenancy was in violation of the actual lease. This was acknowledged by the tenants before I moved in, with them texting “it’s technically not allowed, but we can probably sneak one”.

Fast forward to mid November, I texted both tenants on 11/17/24 “I have a housing update I would like to discuss tonight”. Cameryn acknowledged my text, and later that evening, I verbally told Cameryn I was leaving January 1st, and reiterated that I let them know ASAP so they could find a replacement. The only thing Cameryn said to me was “yeah, that's all good”. From 11/17/24 to the day I physically moved out (12/27/24), neither Bailey nor Cameryn voiced any objection, or even mentioned at all, verbally or otherwise, my moving out or paying a 4th month of rent. The only recognition of my moving was Cameryn mentioning they were actively searching for a replacement in late November and early December, and asking if they could take a picture of my room to show prospective tenants.

During my apartment search, it was discovered by the building manager I was occupying the unit against the lease as a result of me applying for another unit they managed. I told Cameryn of this and Cameryn told me “it’s all good, we understood the risks getting into this”.

A member of the management company reached out to Cameryn informing them they violated their lease, and told them not to do it again, and that they had to go through the proper channels and pay the sublet fee. Cameryn told me the employee would reach out to me to add me to the lease for the duration of 10/1/24 to 1/1/25, specifically noting my tenancy would end January 1st, 2025. I have a text conversation proving this with the building manager. I provided them my email, but nothing was ever sent to me to sign.

I overheard Cameryn tell Bailey this story, and Cameryn mention to Bailey, “we can’t keep doing this or we’re gonna get kicked out”.

I moved out on 12/29/24. Upon leaving, I left my couch and declined Cameryn’s offer of payment for it, stating it was a gift for letting me stay short term. Cameryn accepted it.

On 1/7/25, Bailey texted me saying “Just got back man, I didn’t know you moved out, where did you end up?” I told him roughly where I moved to. Bailey replied, “I hate to be that person, but we agreed to 4 months rent”. Bailey nor Cameryn billed me for a 4th month via Venmo like usual. The first mention of this 4th month was Bailey’s "hate to be that person comment". I feel that suggests even Bailey knows I don’t owe this money, as Bailey would have just charged me as usual if they believed I owed it.

I do not believe I owe this 4 month of rent - is this true? What would a likely outcome be in small claims court? Would they even have any standing? Should I even message them back? I have a picture of a Facebook post of them seeking a new roommate 1/1/25.