Can I legally break a section 8 lease without penalties?

Question

I'm renting from a privately-owned apartment complex. This place is a disaster! They have a security entrance system in which you are supposed to buzz in your guests, but management disabled it and leaves the doors unlocked day and night. Someone keyed my car in the parking lot last night. People are smoking in the halls even though they are not supposed to (I have asthma so this is a big problem). The downstairs neighbor is beating on his girlfriend and son all the time in the middle of the night, like 2-4 am. The cops are here a few times every weekend to break up parties and fights. I have a 2-month old baby and just don't feel safe here.... What can I do to get out of my lease without penalties? I have only one rental referral, and would like to be able to use this one when I go to get another apartment....

Answer 1

I'm receiving Section 8, and am having the same problems--landlord is not paying the bills; cops are here all the time; high crime neighborhood, etc.

What my caseworker told me is that I can' for good cause'. And she said this is certainly good cause. Make sure you don't leave a mess, so they won't have any excuse to dick you out of your security deposit--they seem like the kind of people that would do so.

You shouldn't care about a referral from this person, just explain to your new perspective landlord the problems with this person. They shouldn't expect that you would have obtained a good reference letter.

Answer 2

Section 8 Lease

Answer 3

You can legally break a section 8 lease! Just like you as the tenant have rules you must abide by to be in the program, so does the landlord.Section 8 is federally funded and property owners can face serious problems if they are recieveing rent funds and not maintaining the property.The majority of section 8 housing is not the greatest, but they are required to make repairs in a reasonable time frame, 48-72 hours, and keep the premise at a liveable and reasonably safe condition.Many section 8 tenants do not know that they have rights. You need to first start making calls to your case worker and their supervisor. Get a notebook and write down the date, time and phone number, and what the message said EVERY TIME YOU CALL.Also follow these messages with letters, if you can get them certified or send faxes so you will have a receipt. Generally section 8 moves in their own time, but if you do not receive a response within 2weeks. Call and threaten to contact a local action news channel if you do not receive a response in 48 hrs.If they dont come out call the news people!They love busting slum lords and gov't agencies. Also if the landlord will agree to it, you can do whats calleda mutual recession. This is a paper you need to get from section 8 office and have your landlord sign and notarized agreeing to let you out your lease, then you can move to another unit with no problem.Also if push comes to shove you can get online and find the number to the federal office in charge of section 8, I believe its listed on a hud page.In short the landlord is required to make sure your unit is safe and inhabitable, if not you have a right to leave!Good luck and hope this helps.

Answer 4

Discuss the issue with your Section 8 worker. Also analyze your lease paperwork, there are often conditions your landlord agrees to meet and if they fail to do so, you can legally break your lease without fees. SO see if they guarantee to provide safety, minimize noise etc. This is a tricky business and document everything by contacting your landlord when something occurs.

On the flip side, you can break your lease and so long as you pay the fees before you leave, they can not give you a bad reference. Most landlord checks consist of asking if they paid on time, if not how often, is there any money still owed, etc. So if you absolutely hate it, buck up and pay the fee and move on to greener pastures. Good Luck

Answer 5

It may be a bit difficult, but you should be able to do it. I would document everything (times, dates, examples, etc) and then talk to whoever helps you with the section 8. I would also write a letter to your landlord, explaining the problems and specifying a certain amount of time to fix the problem or state that you will have to leave.

I am a homeowner, so I am not familiar with leases and section 8, however, if you moved in with the understanding that certain things were provided, not allowed, etc. you should be able to break your lease.

Answer 6

It is possible to break a HUD lease without being sanctioned if it is based on and due to a request for reasonable accommodations.
EXAMPLES:
(1)If you are leasing an upstairs unit and are suddenly confined to a wheelchair, you request to be relocated to a downstairs accessible unit and landlord denies request. You can in accordance with Fair Housing, and HUD break the lease for good cause.
(2) if you have documented verification of maintenance issues that jeopardize health and safety or violate quality standards INCLUDING PEST INFESTATIONS you may break the lease.
(3) If you are refused a requested transfer because of your need for a larger unit due to change of household compilation, or need to have a live-in caregiver you may break the lease.
KEEP IN MIND BEFORE DOING SO BE SURE YOU HAVE A WELL DOCUMENTED PAPER TRAIL OF YOUR EFFORTS TO NEGOTIATE ALTERNATIVES!! THEN CONTACT: HUD, OIG, DOJ, ADA AND/OR FAIR HOUSING, TO PETITION ON YOUR BEHALF TO PROTECT YOU FROM ANY KIND OF SANCTION OR FUTURE DISCRIMINATION, OR RETALIATION!

Answer 7

Unfortunately, no, you cannot get out of your lease because you lost your job. It's not your landlord's fault you were laid off. I would talk to your landlord and see if there's something you may be able to work out with him/her. Otherwise, you're stuck paying the rent for the remainder of the lease.

Answer 8

Talk to the section 8 people..if you quit them you will be thrown off the program for 3 years.

Answer 9

First thing I would do is get a real shrink cause yours is too level like bubbles.

Answer 10

You are looking at a real mess, long and drawn out process.