I live in Palm Beach County, Florida. I'm trying to figure out how to get out of my lease. My landlord lives in Georgia and doesn't care about our place at all. We're having major problems with the sink, mold is starting to grow. The bottom of the cabinet underneath is rotting away. I really think it's starting to become a health hazard. The a/c backs up all the time, and we have to flush it out or water will leak out of the ceiling.
I'm not great at Legaleese. I've been trying to read Florida tenant statutes. I basically want to know if there's a way to get out of my lease and get my deposit back. Or to even just get out of it without owing her any money!
Any ideas? I'm just frustrated with this!
2007-07-09 03:25:49 · 8 answers · asked by kristmas13 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
I agree with the other comments. Do send a letter to the landlord, but have it notarized. And, send it Certified Mail.
2007-07-09 04:39:08 · answer #1 · answered by jdkilp 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Before you move out try to resolve it by following:
As it was said take pictures send a letter to the landlord and ask things should be fixed- give him 14 days after receiving the letter- if you do not hear from him, go the city health dept and file a report.
If you will be sued you can show and have the proof that you did try to resolve the problem but the place became health hazard and you could not continue living and paying rent.-this way you are covered- a judge will understand.
2007-07-09 11:59:13 · answer #2 · answered by Isabella789 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is mold and your landlord is not fixing the problem, that is a health hazard. I would go to the city building and ask to speak with someone from the health department. If you are unable to live in the apartment or house, you can not be expected to keep your end of the lease because the landlord is not keeping up theirs. If you must-I would call a lawyer.
2007-07-09 10:37:30 · answer #3 · answered by jen 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
give the landlord a last chance to fix the issues, (u need pictures of the mold) and if they do not. I think you would have a good leg to stand on in court. landlords only care about the rent not your health. send pictures of everything wrong there in your pad. you have to put this as a health issue, your health.
good luck and yahhh look up everything you can on tenants rights out there.
2007-07-09 10:36:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Read your lease for any outs. If you see nothing consult a Real Estate Attorney and see what can be done. Otherwise fixing and withholding monies you'll still owe anyhow. Or if you just have a couple months left maybe you could just suffer thru and mark this up for experience.
2007-07-09 13:33:02 · answer #5 · answered by Scott 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just write down all the problems and take pictures. And let them know that if they aren't going to take care of any of these problems you will be reporting them to the better business bureau. This has worked for me before with lazy landlords.
2007-07-09 10:38:23 · answer #6 · answered by spayce2 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not easy to get out of the lease agreement unless you can get somebody El's to take it over with your landlords approval
but with the place in such a mess i guess nobody will. when you signed the agreement was the place in order? if yes you can certainly withhold monthly payments to fix it yourself. get quotations and send it to her, then you can write her a letter to say if she is not prepared to fix the place your intention is to with hold monthly payments to do so
I don't know about Florida but in South Africa you are allowed to do so.
2007-07-09 10:46:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest you record all grievances in writing, if your landlord fails to respond he will be in breach of the lease. You should then be able to get out of it.
2007-07-09 10:35:20 · answer #8 · answered by docfourteen 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋