I want to break my apt lease?
my apartment got broken into at 2:30 this morning and i dont feel safe there. the police officer that showed up when i called 911 said the area i live in is a big gang area and that me and my roommate shouldnt be there. we didnt relize how bad it was when we moved in bc the only time we saw the area was early in the day but now that its summer there are tons of little wanna be thugs and drug dealer type ppl running around everywhere. i want to move out but is this enough reason to make them let me out of my lease?
Answers:
Check out this at Judge Joe Browns website, there is more there to read.
1. What are the landlord's responsibilities for tenant safety and security?
Landlords in most states have some degree of legal responsibility to protect their tenants from would-be assailants and thieves and from the criminal acts of fellow tenants. Landlords must also protect the neighborhood from their tenants' illegal activities, such as drug dealing. These legal duties stem from building codes, ordinances, statutes, and, most frequently, court decisions.
Rental property owners are being sued with increasing frequency by tenants injured by criminals, with settlements and jury awards typically ranging from $100,000 to $1 million. Landlords are especially likely to be held liable when a crime occurs on property where a similar assault or other crime occurred in the past.
Here is another question. I have put the site to the answer at the bottom since it is too long to post here.
2. How can a landlord limit responsibility for crime committed by strangers on the rental property?
I would first contact a lawyer who does free consultations and ask their opinion. In my opinion, you can state the break in and I think it should be enough. They didn't inform you of the crime problem in the neighborhood.
No. It is not. Unless of course your lease says that it is (which I'm sure it does not.)
However, perhaps it is worth taking your chances with breaking it. Do some real research on the matter, but don't ask for legal advice on yahoo. Those qualified to give it won't do so on here, and thus you will get a bunch of armchair lawyer wannabe's telling you what you want to hear (this started already with the very first post) without knowledge to back up their advice. Wannabe lawyers as dangerous as wannabe thugs, just in a different way.
tell your landlord.
argue that you are not in a safe environment and that is cause to break this lease.
Hint. Find another place to live before you break the lease. Explain the situation to your prospective landlord, show copies of returned checks for on time lease payments as opposed to having the prospective landlord call and verify rental history. However, be aware that your current landlord can still hold you liable for your current lease. Check state laws . . . For instance, in Florida your landlord can only collect the default value of your lease - that is if you leave your lease six months early - the landlord rents out the apartment two month later - you are only liable for the two months unpaid rent. They can not claim damages for the months your apartment was rented to someone else. Most large apartment complexes will post damages on your credit rating.
No it is not. If you move you will be responsible for rent until Landlord finds new tenant, long as he/she makes reasonable attempt to re rent place. If you want out that bad its going to cost you. Talk to Landlord about buyout. Offer Landlord two three months rent in exchange for terminating lease. Outside of any agreement you make with Landlord there is no way out.
The answers post by the user, for information only, FreeLawAnswer.com does not guarantee the right.
Answer question:
More Law Questions and Answers: