In this call‑in episode of 1‑844‑KARAMO, a caller (Speaker B) describes a deteriorating roommate relationship that began after moving in together in May. They split a $2,000 rent, but the roommate later fabricated a story about a dog’s surgery to justify subleasing the apartment without informing the caller. The sub‑lessee moved in, stopped paying rent, and the original roommate left in January, leaving the caller with $750 of unpaid rent, missing personal belongings, and a $3,000 security deposit held by the landlord. The caller seeks advice on how to recover money and resolve the dispute. Karamo responds with empathy, emphasizing the importance of clear communication, boundary setting, and emotional health. He advises the caller to document three main issues (lack of communication, disrespect, and financial loss), attempt a fair conversation to split the security deposit, and consider filing a small‑claims lawsuit if necessary. He cautions against vindictiveness, suggesting that seeking a balanced, fair resolution will provide both monetary recovery and personal closure. The conversation ends with Karamo encouraging the caller to act kindly, stay true to their Gemini traits, and keep the show’s line open for future updates.
Chapters
Hey Randy, you're on air with Karamo. What is your tea, my friend? Welcome back to another episode of 1-844-KARAMO, where I'll be taking calls from viewers just like you.
I had a friend that we met in 3rd grade. We had been friends on and off, you know, closer, farther away growing up. And then after college, we got closer again and she asked me to move to the city with her. I was hesitant to move with her because I was at a job where I was making more money than I had ever made and I have goats in my backyard that my dad would've had to take care of if I moved somewhere.
Where are you from that you had goats?
I'm from New Jersey. I'm from a really rural part of New Jersey. She's like, if we move closer to the city, imagine how many guys you're going to get to date. That ended up being the issue of our living situation. We had this rule that she said that I don't want anybody to come to the door and the first time you're meeting them and inviting them into the apartment. I was like, "Okay, fair." That's the dream world.
She must not understand gay culture.
We eventually did get a place. We did split the rent equally. It was $2,000. She had a boyfriend. He was a nice guy. All that was fine because it never bothered me. I don't really care what you do. I like having people around. If you want to have people over—
It's your house as well. Enjoy. Have your person be here. As long as they're respecting the space. Got it, okay. How long were you living together before she moved out?
We started in May and she left the end of January.
And what was the final breaking point that caused you two to not live together anymore?
She made up a lie that she needed to save money so that she could pay for her dog's surgery, but that was not true. She just wanted to leave and get somebody to come and sublease the apartment. So today I'm out $750 in rent and I'm out out some of my personal belongings that she took. I didn't jump to give her back her air conditioner after she had been moved out for like 4 months and wouldn't pay me the $500 because the sub-leaser moved in in the middle of February, and, and this person did not want to pay their rent for February because they left.
So when you— when she got this sub-leaser, you were still in the apartment?
Yeah, and I had no idea who this person was. She didn't tell me who was coming, when they were coming, anything like that. She wasn't talking to me because I decided to stop talking to her.
Wow. So there was issues, issues going on during these 6 months. She decided then that I'm going to leave, I'm going to get a subleaser. What she didn't tell you about during that time, you're like, well, you didn't communicate that with me, I'mma hold on to your air conditioner.
I want the money. And so it's not just $750, our security deposit is being held up by the, um, the leaser, which I'm very thankful for. He said y'all have to agree how we're dividing this um, before I release it to any of you. I'm trying to avoid, um, you know, litigation himself. So there's a $3,000, um, security deposit that is ready to be returned. However, I'm not agreeing to split it evenly because she doesn't— I'm— she doesn't deserve it. So I kind of want some advice on what I should do to move forward.
It sounds if you weren't ready to really be leaving your home, which is very understandable. You're 23 years old, or 24 now, um, and you're in a space where you're still trying to figure out your life, trying to figure out you're going to do, but you took a chance based on a friendship that maybe we could start this adventure together, which is very normal. When I was 23, I convinced my best friend Trey to move all the way to LA under the guise of, come out there, girl. Listen, we'll have a great time. You can come stay with me. And it was, but what's kept our relationship good was the communication and also making sure that we were checking in with each other about boundaries. And it sounds like somewhere along this line, she stopped checking in with you and she stopped communicating with you, or you two weren't hearing each other. Either way, it got unhealthy. What hurts the most for me is that this doesn't sound like it was a solid relationship anyway. And I can understand, and correct me if I'm wrong, that maybe a bit of the animosity is that like, damn, I people-pleased and did so much for you that I really didn't want to. And now here I am dealing with the BS that I didn't have to put up with in the first place. I think you should figure out small claims court. I'm gonna give you half. I'll take my half. We can split this evenly, but we have to have a conversation. And I think before you have the conversation, writing down the main 3 issues, like the lack of communication, the disrespect you felt, like be clear about what those things are and say, listen, if you can agree to us having a conversation about this, then I will go ahead and tell this landlord, let's go ahead and both split the money. Because at the end of the day, right now it's zero or it's half. And I would rather you get something than nothing.
I have 4 options, and the main one I want to do is take her to court and win. The number 2 option would be to let the landlord keep the money and not, not get any of it back.
That's a horrible option. We already talked about that.
No, it's good because at least she loses something, you know?
No, no, no, no. Because let me tell you something. Let me tell you what you did right there. Talking about emotions and mental health, vindictiveness, or saying, well, at least she won't get something, is not going to serve you. Every time we think that we're trying to hurt somebody else, ends up hurting ourselves.
I guess signing it and, and what you said and letting her have it, letting us split it.
Me saying to split it is not to give in. It's to make sure there's still balance and fairness, but it's also to make sure you get answers. So there's part of you that it needs to be heard. So allow yourself to be clear on what you need answers for. Tell her let's talk about this, and then you'll rightfully— you'll get money, she'll get money, and you also got closure. So I'm just letting you know, third option, Karamo option, is probably gonna be the best option for you. What's your sign?
I'm a Gemini.
Ooh! She got it coming if you decide to be spiteful. She got it coming. Let the other side of your Gemini come out where you're just kind and loving and—
He was doing so much work earlier in the process and she treated him wrong.
I know she did.
I know she did.
But this time it's not about her treating him wrong, it's about you treating that side of yourself right. Okay, I believe in you. Give me an update, let me know what happens. Thank you. All right, take care now. Don't forget to keep coming back for more 1-844-KARAMO.
