getting out of a lease in an unsafe neighborhood!?

Question

i am moving with three of my roommates to an apartment in CROWN HEIGHTS BROOKLYN, i thought the area was safe, but just did a lot of research and found that it has A HIGH CRIME. im so ******* scared... so, basicly, i am the only one who signed the lease today, my three roommates have not signed it yet. i am VERY SCARED to move to this area, and don't want to move in anymore! WHAT SHOULD I DO?!?!?!

Answer 1

Step 1- tell your potential roommates that you are having second thoughts
Step 2- Go to the landlord together...all three of you and make it known that it's between the two roommates and have them scratch your name off the list.
Step 3- if your roommates back out as well...call the landlord and let him/her know you don't want the apt. It's NYC...i can't see where they're pressed for tenants.

If you cant get any of this to work, get a lawyer to write the landlord a letter saying you want out.

Answer 2

If the three of you are named on the lease and all three of you have not signed the lease Then the lease is not a legal document until all of you sign the lease. Until this is done it is not enforceable. So just tell the manager you have checked out the area and not satisfied with the area and nor are your room mates and you will not be taking the apartment after all.

Answer 3

Well normally people do their homework first.

But hopefully your landlord is nice. Speak with him/her and hopefully he will void the contract.
Landlord could keep your deposit and you could be responsible for the apartment til end of lease.

Please before signing a lease study the areas.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Contact the landlord and tell them you want to back out. AND/OR tell your potential roomates that you are out and that they need to find another place or another roomate before they go in and complete the lease.