Roommates Are Saying I Owe Rent For A Month I Was Never There

In Massachusetts. I sublet from 10/1 to 1/1, with no signed agreement. The subelet was NOT allowed by the lease; all parties knew this. Rent was charged TO me on Venmo, on a varying date, and a varying amount differing by 1-3 dollars.

On 11/17/24, I texted roommates Wu and David, "I have a housing update I want to discuss tonight", Wu said "for sure". I told David that night I would leave 1/1/2025 - a 44 day notice. Dacid literally just said "nah yeah that's all good". David asked what Facebook group I found them on to look for a replacement. Neither roommate ever objected to my move out, mentioned 4 months rent, or even mentioned my move out.

On 11/19/25, the building manager discovered the sublet. I told David this, and he affirmed "we understood the risks getting into this". On 11/21/25, David told me the building manager was going to add me to the lease noting my tenancy ending on 1/1/25. The building manager texted me confirming this, but never finalized it.

On 12/17/24, David posted on Facebook looking for a new roommate starting 1/1/25. On 12/23/24 David asked to take a picture of my room to show potential roommates.On 12/29/24, I moved out in front of David. I surrendered the keys to David. I also gifted my couch to David and Wu, declining offered payment for it.

On 1/7/25, Wu texted me "I hate to be that guy, but we agreed to 4 months". This was the first I ever heard from them 4 months rent. I have not responded, and have yet to be charged for it like normal.

Let's assume I made a verbal commitment to 4 months, as that's what Wu is implying. Do I owe this 4th month rent? The only discussion of a departure date before 11/17 was in September where I texted them I'd leave "first half of 2025, no specific date yet" and "probably spring".