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View Full Version : Terminating a lease


LadyLorilei1987
Jun 26, 2007, 08:05 PM
My friends and I are college students renting an apartment in an apartment complex less then a mile from campus, which makes it ideal for a lot of students.
We wanted to move in and sign all paperwork on August 1st of 2006, but the people at the apartment complex said no one would be there to do it and pushed it to August 2nd 2006. So this is when we signed all our paperwork and moved in. Well it turns out this apartment has been horrible. The diswasher keeps breaking regularly, the hot water comes and goes, my roomates car was broken into twice, and then stolen. There have been quite a few suspicious characters around and the community is "gated" but is open until 5pm, and even then; anyone can come through the gate at night, all they have to do is wait for a car to exit and the gate is slow enough it allows the car enough time to get in. The security in the complex doesn't ever seem to be around or be much help. Well we stuck it out and we are finally coming out to the end of the lease - or so we thought. Now the complex says we have to stay until August 31st 2007, even though we were lead to believe it would end by July 31st (the end of a normal 12 month lease). Are they allowed to do that?
We have already found another place that is perfect for our needs and its available when we thought our lease would have ended (July 31st 2007) and we simply cannot afford two places at once.
Any help is great! Thanks.

luvmylab
Jun 27, 2007, 09:56 AM
What does your lease say? Do you have a copy of your lease? What is the date listed on your lease? Also what state are you in?

ScottGem
Jun 27, 2007, 10:21 AM
Are you willing to give up your deposit? If so, I would go ahead with plans to move, pay your July rent and move at the end of July. If they don't return your deposit, then sue them. But be prepared to lose.

landlord advocate
Jun 29, 2007, 07:33 PM
Check your lease. There has to be an ending date listed. Leaving a month early and allowing the security deposit to cover the last month;s rent may also trigger an eviction notice and filing in court. Having an eviction listed on your credit report will follow you for several years. Only you can decide if it is worth it. I doubt it.