take him to court… it sucks if that’s how the situation will have to come to light… naturally you’d hope that he’d just man up and pay the rent… what sucks is that a lease does not designate ownership of payment… meaning $1000 a month over two people doesn’t, by law, mean $500 each… it just means that both of you are responsible to see that the rent payment is made… to truely screw him, you’d have to screw yourself… its’ sad to have to take it to court, but chances are you’d get his percentage of rent… i’d take him… the court order paperwork might be enough for him to start paying? as sad as it is, have you contacted his parents?
taking it to claims will resolve it… chances are you’ll be out of the apartment by the time you see the money, but if you push the issue (get an attorney) they can get it moving… there are some attorneys on here that might help… good luck, i’d file a claim and get the paperwork in the mail… let him know that you can’t just walk away from commitments… people suck.
talk to the landlord and see if you can break the lease, if that’s an option…
sonny said it all, since his name is on the lease so is his credit…you are unfortunately stuck with the bill for the time being, a lawyer is a good idea, otherwise if you don’t pay it’ll be turned to collections on both of you