The lease states that there is a 2 month penalty if we choose to break our lease. However over the past 6 months our neighborhood has gone downhill to the point were there was a shooting there last month. Can they still hold me to this penalty when now my own safety is at stake? My beautiful neighborhood is going downhill fast.
2007-07-06 11:04:16 · 9 answers · asked by wiu_steve 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Yes they can still hold you to the lease. It sucks but they arent going to let you break lease because the actions of others.
2007-07-06 11:16:18 · answer #1 · answered by cowboy_upjb 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is unlikely you will able to break the lease over this. While it was an issue, since you didn't report that you smelled gas there was no way for them to know that there was a leak. The law doesn't expect landlords to be physic. Since they fixed it immediately after learning that was the problem there is no legal cause for breaking the lease anymore. If you had reported smelling gas and being sick and they had done nothing at that point you could have broken lease. What kind of message was it? If you can prove that the landlord already knew of the leak then you might have a good case. If not you will have to deal with the normal penalties for breaking lease.
2016-05-20 01:05:13 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately you are bound to the terms of the lease. Virginia and Washington, DC are the same way. Your state might allow you to find someone to takeover the lease, but who would you find to accept the neighborhood. I lived in what I thought was a 'safe' neighborhood in DC only to watch everything go bad. I was advised that I could leave, but the landlord could sue me for any remaining rent due under the lease. My advice is to tough it out, and make arrangements to move the DAY that the lease ends. Make sure you provide 60 days notice prior to the end of the lease that you are vacating the property.
2007-07-06 11:11:07 · answer #3 · answered by Keryne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they can. It's not the landlord's fault that the neighborhood is going downhill. If I felt my life was in danger I would move anyway. Tell the landlord as soon as possible. If he can rent it sooner than the 2 months, you shouldn't have to pay the penalty. He will not be entitled to double the rent if he rents it to someone else right away.
2007-07-06 11:09:00 · answer #4 · answered by Dee 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are bound to the lease regardless of your safety fears. Do remember that shootings also occur in Beverly Hills on occasion. One shooting does not mean that your neighborhood has become Murder Alley.
2007-07-06 11:07:56 · answer #5 · answered by acermill 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they can hold you to it.
It is not your landlords fault that the neighborhood is going down hill.
They have bills to pay too.
suck it up and pay the penalty if you feel the need to move. after all you signed it, and agreed to all statements within.
2007-07-06 11:10:57 · answer #6 · answered by nobodytotalkabout 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, that is no excuse. You could have investigated the neighborhood more thoroughly before signing. No judge would find in your favor.
2007-07-06 11:21:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
unless it is the apartment complex you live in failing to do maintenance, you are stuck until the end of your lease.
2007-07-06 11:08:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Ain't gonna happen, pal.
2007-07-06 11:15:00 · answer #9 · answered by badbill1941 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋