The only way a lease can be altered is if ALL parties agree; that includes your LL and ex-BF. So if either of them do not agree to remove your BF from the lease, it isn't going to happen. It does not matter whose name is listed first; both of you are "jointly and severally" liable for the rent each month.

Your LL has no incentive to remove the BF as that is one less person who is accountable for the rent each month. If your ex-BF does not pay his share of the rent or find a suitable person to sublet, you can sue him in small claims court.

Also, as long as the ex-BF is named on the lease, he is entitled to keep his belongings there and have a key. It doesn't matter if he is actually living there or if he is paying rent.

You can ask your landlord for a new lease in your name, but there's no particular advantage in doing so. Once he's moved out and stopped contributing to the rent, he has no right to continue living there. Write him a formal letter (or you can pay a lawyer to write one) saying that if he requires any of the items he has left in the flat, he needs to make an appointment to remove them within 14 days. You will assume possession of anything he has not claimed within 14 days and you will keep it, sell it or dispose of it as you think fit.

You can't remove him without his agreement. You also can't touch his stuff.

It's his apartment as much as yours, regardless of who pays.

NO it does not matter if he never pays anything or who's name is first. All tenants on the same lease legally have equal rights.

You CAN NOT get his name off the lease against his will and the landlord does not have to agree to it either. He can ONLY be removed both him and the landlord agree and all three of you sign an agreement removing him.

I just broke up with him today and I'm keeping the apartment, I pay pretty much all its rent anyway so I told him if he can't pay he's not living with me. I put all his stuff in the storage area and told him he has 2 weeks to get it. He only lives "part time" with me and spends 3-4 days a week in his hometown but all his stuff is moved here. He doesn't drive. And knowing how lazy he is, he'll just blow it off or won't be able to find a ride. Is there any legal way I can make him come get his stuff. Both our names are on the lease, not sure if it matters but my name is first. Can I get my landlord to take his name off the lease or does my boyfriend have to tell him himself he's no longer living here? I just don't want his stuff in my apartment anymore and I'm not going to help him transport it...