View Full Version : Breaking a lease
tsb
Oct 26, 2008, 05:59 AM
My boyfriend and I have lived together for a year and a half. Initially it was suppose to be my apartment, so I was the only one to sign the lease. However he moved in with me a week later. After the first year we both agreed to renew the lease. When I went to sign the new lease he was at work so he never signed the lease. Now we have decided to end the relationship and he wants to leave in the middle of the lease. Does he have any legal obligations to the lease? Can he just move like that without giving me time to prepare for all the bills? Does the verbal agreement we made mean anything? How can I get him to fulfill the lease?
excon
Oct 26, 2008, 08:25 AM
Hello tsb:
Apparently, YOU are the only one on the lease. Therefore, YOU are the only one who's obligated to the landlord under the lease.
He IS obligated to you, however, as YOU are HIS landlord. But it looks like you're going to have to sue him in small claims court for any money's he might owe you.
Not having the benefit of marriage or a written agreement isn't going to help you. But, you have a shot at winning, and it only costs about $50 to file a case. You're going to have to wait until ALL your damages have occurred, though. You can't sue for FUTURE rent, because you can get a roommate or move.
excon
Fr_Chuck
Oct 26, 2008, 11:14 AM
He can of course just move out if he wants, so you had better figure a way to apy the bills,
You can try and sue him for any verbal agreement and it will be up to the judge to decide if they feel there was one and to what obligations