I've moved out of my California apartment a few days before the first of the upcoming month. I had to move out quickly due to a domestically violent situation. My soon to be ex and I had shared the apartment with another couple as well. So the three other people are still living in the apartment, and I am the only one who has left.

I've communicated the situation to the apartment manager and she said I needed to have the other tenants submit a letter releasing me from the rental agreement (we're on month-to-month). However, that didn't sound quite right to me, and could also be difficult to accomplish.

Any advice you could give on how to get my name off all the paperwork and not be responsible for any portion of the coming month's rent would be awesome.

Thanks!

Hello spring:

If the landord won't let you off (he doesn't have to), and the other tenants won't (they don't have to either), you aren't going to come off.

Let's hope they pay their rent - or guess who will?

excon

If you are on a month to month and you were all signed on the lease. Then you would only be responsible for one month if the current tenants hold you to it.

Send the landlord a certified letter annoucing you will not longer be a tenant after 30 days.

California real estate law, section 1946.7 states that victims of domestic violence have a right to get out of a lease within 30 days of notifying the landlord. You may want to read the law yourself (just Google it) for clarification because there are some details that are required with it. It looks like you have to either have a restraining order against your almost-ex or file a report to your police department. In the end, you're still responsible for your rent for the next 30 days but you're relieved after that.