Can I get out of my apartment lease?

Question

I live on the second floor of an apartment building and the stairs have been broken since we moved in. We were told in March that a contractor was coming out to look at them - nothing has been done. The bolts are loose and the top stair has come loose from the cement connecting it to the breezeway. It swings violently as you walk up and down them. My boyfriend has fallen three times, and today he fell and hurt himself pretty badly, his feet and legs have been bleeding (not seriously) for over an hour.

I called again today, they said they would look at it but I seriously doubt anything will be done. Seeing as how their negligence has resulted in injuries and this major problem has been ignored - what course of action can I take? I'm not interested in suing them, unless something REALLY serious happens, I just want to get out of the complex but I'm still under a lease.

Any ideas on what I can/should do? Thank You!

Answer 1

you should be able to get out of your lease, because of their not fixing the stairs. make sure the accidents have been noted. most things in life need documentation, be sure you have it. take pictures of the stairs and your b/f leg.
the apartment is liable for any injuries.

Answer 2

This sounds like a serious issue. Basically the first thing to do is research the lease you signed, and the rental laws in your state. See if you have an out.

Document everything, and do everything in writing. Letters are best, email works too. Just have records that you have informed your landlord of the problem. Just stating that you called him and told him to fix it might not hold up. As everyone here has already mentioned, take pictures of everything. The stairs, your boyfriend's leg. Also get receipts of any out of pocket costs he has to pay for any medical help.

Next, if you remain at the apartment for any length of time place your rent in an escrow account. Do not give it to the landlord until he fixes the problem. Make sure you place it in an escrow account though, because if a court rules in his favor you will be liable for the money.

Answer 3

Basically, you can just move. You probably need to leave them a forwarding address to qualify for your deposit back, which risks them suing you for breaking the lease, but you probably have a good shot at not only winning that, but countersuing for your deposit as well.

But.

You have to prepare.

Take pictures of the stairs. Lots of them. Take pictures of the injury. Talk to a few neighbors. Get written statements from them that say "I have lived here since _____ and the stairs have been unsafe since (before) ______. (optional: I personally made management aware of the situation in the month of _____". ) Signed certainly, notarized would be very good.

Send your landlord a letter when you move stating that the following: You are moving because of the stairs, which have been unsafe for over six months, and which did in fact cause an injury to a guest/tenant (whichever your bf is), and that the deposit can be returned to (address).

Hold onto the pictures and statements for at least three years, even if you get the deposit back. If you do get the deposit back, photocopy the check before cashing it, and put that in the file as well. If you do not get the deposit back but they don't pursue you, then decide if the deposit is worth suing them for.

Answer 4

If you upload him to the hire he's going to be anticipated to go a credit score investigate as good and pay a component to the hire in keeping with the leasing manufacturer. This could be your satisfactory safety. If you permit him to transport in with you at no cost and no longer be further to the hire, it's feasible so that you can be evicted and have got to pay the remainder stability of your hire interval. Most hire contracts have a piece that offers with individuals dwelling with you for greater than a talk over with and the penalties if that is observed to be real with none notification to the leasing manufacturer. Read your hire for additional know-how. It may be very feasible to be focused on an association like this. Be cautious. You would do extra harm on your possess credit score list than you'll be able to assume.

Answer 5

Some states require a person to have a business license to be a landlord. Contact the business license office and they should be able to tell you if your state does. They should also be able to direct you to who you would contact with a grievence against your landlord for negligence, either a government agency or maybe seeking an attorney. States usually have a set time period after a repair complaint to be addressed or the landlord may be in violation of the lease.

Answer 6

You must have signed the lease. A lease is a contract legaly binding between two parties.Unless the lease states that things are wrong,you are paying for something that does not exist. You are not legaly obliged to.Make sure you get names of people you speak to,dates and times,every time you call.If the land lord is not full-filling his side of the contract/lease,you should be able to walk away from it. Do not withhold rent payment,or else it could be deemed that you are in breach of the lease/contract.The landlord is breaching his side of the contract.Besides him breaking the contract,and repairs not being done, you ought to also contact health and safety,and the enviromental officer.