I signed a renters' lease on an apartment Haven't moved in. Do I have to move in? Can I get my $ back.

Question

I signed the lease 1 day ago. I have to move in the next couple of weeks and was having a hard time finding something. The leased apartment doesn't have a laundry which I really need. I've since been offered an apartment with laundry. Am I legally bound to take this apartment? Can the lessor keep my security deposit which I paid with a personal check.

Answer 1

There is usually a grace period, read the lease.

Answer 2

Once you signed the lease you became legally bound to the agreement. What if after you signed the lease and came to move in you found out that the landlord changed his mind? You would raise hell just like he will probably when you try to get out of the agreement. This is why people form contracts in the first place. It's to make sure people keep their word.
Anyway, if you don't move in and there has been no breach on the part of the landlord to where you can blame your no move-in on that then usually you will be liable for a few months rent there no matter what. The landlord has to also usually try and find someone to fill the apartment to mitigate his damages but in the meantime you will be liable for the rent until he finds someone unless you can sweet talk him into letting you out of the arrangement voluntarily (unlikely, unless aggressive renters are knocking down his door).
Either way, I would be surprised if you could get your entire security deposit back seeing as how the landlord may be able to keep it to help pay for his "damages" resulting for you not moving in...him not having anyone to pay rent until he finds another renter....etc.
Good luck. If your lease isn't that long you might want to just move in anyway. If your lease is for a while then you have to weigh the cost of how important that laundry room is against you essentially paying the rent at two places for a while. He can take you to small claims court (and probably win) and then you'll have a judgment against you...lots of unnecessary trouble. You know?

Answer 3

Renters rights vary by state. Check with your state attorney general's office, they will have that listed. In my state, you don't have to move it, however, you will have to either pay for the amount of time that the apartment is left vacant until they get a new tenant, or loose the deposit. I would go to the landlord and see if you can work a deal with them. They may be nice, they don't have to do. You really don't have a good reason to break the lease. Laundry is not a legitimate excuse to break a lease. The three day right to break a contract does not apply to leases.

Answer 4

Not only can they keep your security deposit, you are most likely responsible for the total rent due on the lease. Some leases allow for early moving if they can lease the apartment within thirty days. But, you will still be responsible for the monthly rent until they can find another tenant. If you signed a lease they should have given you a copy. Read it, it's all in there.

Answer 5

If you have signed a lease you can probably still get out of it since you haven't moved in yet, but they will probably keep your security deposit as they have been holding the apartment for you when they could have rented it to someone else and now they have to find someone again. Call them right away and maybe they can come to a reasonable agreement with you that the both of you will be happy with.

Answer 6

This may be a binding agreement... again, check your local laws. Just an idea... the lease is only enforceable if the landlord from whom you are trying to back out insists upon it (which he can if the law allows).

Of course, you don't have to do everything the law says you can do. You could offer the second place prize of the letting him keep the deposit you gave him in hand if he's insistent. Small price to pay to avoid paying off a 12 month lease.

Answer 7

The answer will depend on what state you are in. Most likely, since you signed a lease, you will be obligated to pay. You can probably notify the landlord that you don't intend to move in. In some states, the landlord has an obligation to try to rerent the space but you still have to pay until someone else signs a lease. You should read your lease. It might let you sublet which means you can find someone else to move in and pay you rent. You will still be obligated to pay though, even if the person you sublet to doesn't pay you.

Answer 8

study the contract very heavily. If between the leasing criteria is upkeep of valid renters coverage than you may proceed the reassurance for the time period of your employ. that's actual a competent good purchase as far as coverage is going and also you may strongly evaluate it regardless, your correct price will be depending upon what you figure the fee of your own sources to be, although the area your landlord cares about is your felony duty in the shape some thing could ensue to a consumer on your premises by your negligence, etc...

Answer 9

If you are in Arizona, you are out of luck, not only will you lose your deposit, but your landlord can sue you (easily via garnishment) for each month's rent until he re rents the place.

I am a landlord and did it in 19 days with no attorney involvement.

Ask him to release you, and if he agrees to terminate the lease, get it in writing; otherwise, take the apartment and honor the lease.

Answer 10

if you signed the lease only one day agop, read the lease you might be able to get out with a penalty, however you have signed the lease so you are legally bound to the terms of the lease. Sorry for the bad news.

Answer 11

yes you signed a legal agreement, not only can they keep your deposit, but you will owe them the rent untill they re-rent it .

don't sign a lease ever if you have not completely checked out everything. The Laundry was something you check out before you sign.