View Full Version : Breaking a lease in Louisiana
jlkovacs1031
Feb 22, 2007, 03:40 PM
I signed a lease up until the month of may. I have to move because I have been relocated so I need to break the lease. What should I do? What will I be responsible to pay? Does this end up on credit reports? Will I have to appear in court? How many days am I required to give notice?
ballengerb1
Feb 22, 2007, 04:08 PM
You should notify your landlord of your situation and ask to be released. It might work, if not you will owe any money lost by the landlord until he can rent the unit for the same or higher rent.
landlord advocate
Feb 22, 2007, 04:33 PM
The lease is a legal agreement and you are responsible until the lease is up or until the landlord re-rents the apartment. You are also responsible for any cost to advertise, show the property, run credit reports, re-paint or clean if necessary. Tell the landlord you are relocating. Ask if you can put an ad in the paper and attempt to re-rent the property for him. Obtain copies of the application he uses and show the property. It is to the landlord's advantage to work with you to find another tenant. The new tenant should be as credit worthy as you are. He doesn't have to rent to just anyone, it must be someone he would rent to if he had an empty apartment. Leave the property as clean as possible.
If you leave the property with rent due, yes, you may end up in court for money owed. If the landlord wins, the judgment will be listed on your credit report and it will lower your score.