Can you get out of lease contract for losing your job?

Question

I lost my job and I sign a year lease contract and didn't know I was going to loss my job.

Answer 1

Actually you can't.

What you can do is stop paying your rent. Then they'll evict you, which means THEY broke the lease. Then you can offer to pay the back rent you owe, if they'll let you out of the lease. Tell them you lost your job and you have to move, and you have only enough money to pay your back rent.

Another thing you can do is sub-lease.


For those that say NOT to stop paying and get evicted, I was told that by a judge that I met in a bar. Once you've been evicted, they can't make you pay the rest of your lease because THEY broke the contract. When they give you notice that you're getting evicted, you COULD just wait and move out without paying the back rent. BUT, if you offer to pay the back rent, if the landlord will let you out of the lease, the landlord sees a chance to get some money, so he'll take it. All he can get if he kicks you out is the back rent, so he has no reason not to go along with you.

Don't bother talking to your landlord, until you're in a position of power. Landlords are heartless jerks.

Ask a lawyer if you don't believe me.

Answer 2

My daughter has lost her job and doesn't have the money to pay the rest of the lease. She told the landlady and she said that she had to come up with 2mths rent and forget about the deposit to break the lease. She doesn't have the money. Then the landlady says she's going to talk to her dad. The landlady tells her father that she is behind in rent which is not true and threatened to take the money from the job's her dad does for her. My daughter was emancipated and has been on her own for 3 years. She is going to stay at her aunts house. What do you suggest.

Answer 3

Have you read your lease? Legally you are still bound by the contract if you are sane and of consent age.Have you spoken to the landlord and explained your situation?See if you can find someone to assume the lease.You can go the roommate route until you are on your feet.Have you filed for unemployment and sent out resumes yet?Good luck.

Answer 4

You cannot and don't listen to people saying to not pay the rent and to get evicted. They will send a collection agent after you for the rent back pay and once they send your rent back pay to a collection agency that just screwed your credit! Talk to your landlord and see what can be done. They want to get paid and hopefully they are understanding and will put the place up for rent and hopefully someone rents the place to take over where you left off.

Answer 5

I don't think you can get out of it completely. But, and it probably depends on the state you're in, there are ways to get out. I had to leave my apartment early and was given two choices. One was pay the sum of I think two months without any discounts you are receiving. Or two, give notice and move and pay until someone takes your place. For example, we moved out on the first of the month and the new tenants moved in the 14th so we were responsible for 14 days rent. I think received a bill for the two weeks. So we didn't pay up front.

Answer 6

Doubt it. You can tell your landlord the situation and negoiate with him. He may allow you if you can find a new tendant for him.

Answer 7

no.