2 shootings near my apartment in one month..Anything I can do to get out of my rental agreement??
I just moved here in October of last year. The place has been ok, and although it has been a transition moving from the west side of a major urban city to the east side my boyfriend and I have managed. Problem is there has been an increase in shootings around here just recently. A man was shot and killed during a dispute not even a month ago thirty feet down from our apartment. Now this evening, two more individuals were shot and killed after a confrontation near the same area just down the road from our front door. I can understand that crime is everywhere and that even where we lived on the west side stuff like this would happen - not nearly as often however. I hate to think that I can't go out for a late night walk or out for a drive without having the worry of being caught in the crossfire in the back of my head. Is there any clause where we would be eligible to break our lease earlier? The area was never known to be crime ridden before but I'm not waiting to see what happens now..
Answers:
If you have a month to month lease, a 30 day notice is all that is required. If it is a fixed term lease, you're stuck -- unless you can negotiate a deal with the management.
What kind of rental agreement did you have? Most agreements are for a year. You could move out and write a paper explaining your reasons but there's the chance you would be hit up for the next two months rent anyway.
i would suggest that you look at your contract you signed with the apartment owner for a clause that will allow you to break the lease. Legally, states generally do not have criminal laws against breaking a lease or contract but you could be taken to civil court.
Additionally, many law enforcement agencies will do some sort of a close patrol where they drive by your house or apartment more often during the night. Usually all you have to do is call the department and request it.
I believe there is a law/regulation that allows someone to break a lease if they feel the neighborhood they live in is dangerous. I live in California, so since you didn't specify a state, I recommend you look up your state tenant law or tenant union, and they will direct you. Hopefully, this is something all states agree on and you'll have no problem finding a new place without sacrificing your deposit! Good Luck!
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