I moved in and signed a lease agreement for part of a condo that the landlord owns and lives in. After I had lived in the place for a while, we began a romantic relationship, which ended after 4 months. I still have several months left, which creates an interesting situation to say the least. I've heard that once we became involved romantically, the lease I signed became null and this is now a domestic issue instead of a landlord/tenant issue - basically, I'm free and clear of my lease obligation.
Is there any truth to this? I checked the Ohio Landlord/Tenant Act, but did not see anything.
Thanks.
2007-04-25 14:55:29 · 12 answers · asked by officer_rodfarva 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Thanks for all the responses. My landlord is, indeed a female, and I am a guy. The reason I'm asking is that I close on a new home on May 31, and I want to move out that first weekend of June. I was hoping to get away clean, since June is my last month anyway. I guess the information I was given was incorrect. Thanks everyone for your responses.
Maybe this should be one of those TLC Life Lessons. :)
2007-04-25 17:52:30 · update #1
You are still obligated to your lease, no matter what personal entanglements you may have had.
Otherwise landlords would have more dates than anyone on the planet. lol
2007-04-25 15:00:35 · answer #1 · answered by remy0341 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The answer is no for several reasons.
(1) The lease is a legal, binding contract that predates the relationship, which if isn't recognized by the state (i.e. marriage, union, what have you) has no arguable standing in a court of law.
(2) If, during the relationship, the landlord wished to nullify the lease, that's a different matter. But it sounds like he didn't which means that you are still bound by the contract. If you chose to leave because of unbearable situations you can, but you suffer the consequences.
(3) The other issue, beyond legal marriage, that would make this "domestic" is if there were a child involved. If that's the case there is some legal standing, but as there isn't a child involved (which you both parented) no.
There are several solutions you could try here, but legally none of them would let you escape the lease without some measure of recompense.
Good luck.
2007-04-25 15:07:48 · answer #2 · answered by gengidashiell 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. A signed lease agreement is a contract between you and the landlord and a romance between you does not nullify its terms. Your lease should have a paragraph entitled "termination" which will spell out what terminates your lease. I would suspect that your lease was for an initial term and renewable thereafter on a month to month basis. After that initial term, you will be able to "cancel" your lease by following the lease terms for notice to the landlord of your intent to vacate the premises. The lease should also specify what constitutes a breach of your contract (which is unfortunately mostly skewed towards the landlord) and will set forth penalties for breaking your lease. Unless you want to get sued, stay put until the end of your lease; then within the appropriate time frame specified by your lease agreement, write him/her a letter - sent certified mail, return receipt requested - notifying him/her that you will be terminating your lease in accordance with paragraph (fill in the blank) of the Lease Agreement effective on such and such a date. Good luck!
2007-04-25 15:06:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe this to be true. How would you prove it. I would think that leases' would be worthless and woudn't be used if something as simple as romantic rendevous would get you out of it. The lease would hold, it's what you signed. Unless there's a disclaimer that says should we start a relationship this lease becomes null and void. The only way out is if you are able to Sub-Lease the condo to someone else, you'd have to read your agreement and get some professional advise. Good Luck!
2007-04-25 15:30:02 · answer #4 · answered by Dee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Um no!! You weren't married (I'm assuming this) so there is no joint property between you. You signed a legal contract with the lease, which is separate from any interpersonal dealings. I'm also assuming that the lease was not modified after you became romantically involved and that it remained in effect throughout the relationship.
This is NOT a domestic issue. It is still a landlord/tenant issue. You should separate the two in your head. You still have a legal obligation to pay your rent. Romantic involvements don't void legal agreements unless those written instruments are modified and agreed upon in writing and with both in consent.
2007-04-25 15:01:08 · answer #5 · answered by keyz 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Each state has different laws for landord and tennant relations but without knowing for sure, I highly doubt that the lease is nullified. Best thing to do would be to find a suitable replacement to take over your lease. Good Luck!
2007-04-25 15:00:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey. your avatar is a guy but ranman called you a baby girl. he's your daddy now.
LOL
anyways that sux you ended up fooling with a landlord. i'm sure she hates you now b/c it ended (woman!). makes me wonder what the lady said when you asked (no, i assume).
you should pay 1 month fee to break the lease and just leave, if that's what you really want and there is no way.
2007-04-25 16:53:50 · answer #7 · answered by h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HMM... SO YA WANTA GO OUT..LOL
ASK HIM BABYGIRL MAYBE (UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES) HE WILL LET YOU OUT OF THE LEASE. ON ANOTHER NOTE. ROMANTICALLY INVOLVE IS SUCH A PASIONATE WORD. IT SHOULD NOT BE USED IN A BREAK UP SITUATION.. OR AT LEAST BIG DADDY FEELS THAT WAY.
WITH A WARM HEART
THE RAN-MAN
2007-04-25 15:07:04 · answer #8 · answered by randy r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You wont see anything in the Landlord Tennat Act because it dosent exist.
don't **** where you sleep. ever here that before
2007-04-25 15:29:28 · answer #9 · answered by crazymama 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
MAY NULLIFY A MARRIAGE BY DIVORCE BUT YOUR LEASE ISN'T BROKEN
2007-04-25 15:09:18 · answer #10 · answered by cork 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋