rescinding a rental contract?

Question

about 3 years ago I looked at an apartment, it seemed pretty nice and I had asked the rental agent what type of an area it was and she said very good (I was 19 at the time). After signing the contract I called my Grandfather who reccomended that I talk to the local police department and make sure that it was a good spot. Upon calling the police, I found out that not only was it NOT in a good area, the previous tenents had been arrested for dealing coke. I immediatetly called the rental agent (who was on the phone) and left a message with the secretary that I was rescinding the contract and to please call me) she didn't. The following morning I called again and spoke with her she said that I wasn't allowed and that I would be liable for all the unpaid rent till it was rented out again, I told her that since i had notified her within 45 min. I wasn't paying. They have now (3 years later) put it on my credit report as delinquent rent, I hadn't heard anything since then. Can they do that?

Answer 1

Yes, they can. You entered into a legal binding contract the moment your signature appeared on the rental contract. Legally, it's quite irrelevant that you phoned in 45 minutes or one minute.

Sadly, you did it backwards. You should have talked to Grand Dad BEFORE inking the contract.

As a matter of reality, they are truly playing hardball with you since you called so quickly, but legally, they have the right to ask for payment of the contract you signed.

Answer 2

They can do it. You signed a contract. You can not rescind on contracts. You go to buy a car and drive off. You bring it back 30 minutes later. Its your car, you can't give it back. You purchase a house, there is no rescission period. The only rescinding you can do on a contract that I know of is when you sign to do a refinance on your house.

Sorry, you should have checked with the police department before you even started looking in that area.