Breaking a lease?

Question

My fiance' and I moved into an apartment in October...Everything was going great until we both got laid off!!!
Now we are probably not going to be able to afford rent, food and who knows what else...because the town we live in we are having difficulty finding jobs...
Is there anything we can do?

OUR LEASE IS FOR 12 MONTHS.

Is it possible to make a deal with the landlord? I wouldn't know what to say!!

We are trying everything we can to find jobs...we live in Lincolnton, NC
Even Macdonald's is not hiring!!!

Well Im so sorry about my typo!!!
Mcdonald's

And with my unemployment...I do not make enough to pay rent, let alone food half the time..

Answer 1

Be careful about timing. Read your lease agreement first. Find out what the penalty if you break the lease.
If you have a paperwork that shows you have been terminated from your job (both of you), bring it and show it to your landlord before he/she begins to think that you just want out. also, if you are applying for a job, it is important for the landlord to know that you are trying to get a job.
You tone while talking to your landlord should be asking for help on the status of your lease.

Apartment complexes have "affordable housing program" that usually cost 50% lower than the regular tenant, it is subsidized by the government, maybe you will qualify on that program. Don't hesitate to ask about the alternative solution, as long as you are honest with them , I'm sure you can come up with a win-win deal. Good luck!

Answer 2

First off, it's McDonald's not MacDonald's. I agree with Classy Granny (which is a first on any question) about unemployment. Though the lease may address the issue of early termination with a penalty, judges are reluctant to award Landlords more than one month's rent in a residential case. You should discuss your leaving with the Landlord and attempt to find a suitable replacement through your own advertising of signs/internet, etc. This will mitigate the harm to Landlord and you will parachute out Scott Free.

Answer 3

I guess you need something cheaper or you are going to live with someone else. I would check with the landlord. Where I live it's one month rent fine and you loose your deposit. You could probably make a payment arrangement with him on this. Also, make sure you tell the landlord that way he can re rent ASAP. That way he will not be out money and he CAN NOT MAKE YOU PAY FOR MONTHS THAT ARE OCCUPIED by another tenet.
My husband and I both got laid off 2 weeks after marriage. It was very hard for us, but we made it. We got full time jobs during the day and a part time job at night, a couple days a week, because the day job didn't pay well.

Answer 4

You will have to pay your landlord for a time period which is judged reasonable to find new tenants. This is generally the rule. You could try talking to your landlord about your situation so he can start looking before you have to move - which means your penalty may be lower. Usually the reasonable amount of time is a month.

Answer 5

Being a landlord myself, I have to tell you that THE most important thing is that you tell the landlord as soon as possible. As long as tenants are up front and honest with me, I usually have no problem working something out with them. Tell your landlord your circumstances, and whether or not you will be trying to get another job or go on unemployment, etc. Most landlords I know will try to work something out as long as they believe the tenants are honest and dependable people.

Answer 6

What about your unemployment? Most people are at least able to make rent with that and there are two of you.

Answer 7

Look at your lease. What is length of the lease in months? month to month, 6 months, 12 months?