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-   -   Breaking a lease in Maine - landlord put the house on the market (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=141870)

  • Oct 17, 2007, 03:26 PM
    ajramsey4
    Breaking a lease in Maine - landlord put the house on the market
    My husband and I recently relocated back to Maine after a 2 yr stint in NC. We decided to rent this cute little house we love so I could work at home, that is the only reason I took this house and the job I have. Now he informs us that he purchased it through state of Maine housing and technically he cannot rent the house unless it is on the market. So he has put it up for sale, my dilemma is I am supposed to be working at home within the next month and now that it is on the market I cannot. I lost my mother this past March and I am trying to provide a stable living environment for my kids, having a house on the market and people coming in and out is not my idea of stable, also the fact that they could ask us to move any time is frustrating.. I am already battling depression and anxiety for the unexpected loss and big move.. so we have decided to try to find other tenants to fill our lease and move. What happens if nobody wants to rent it? Do we just leave and break the lease? It is for my health and the children's well being.. technically I don't believe he is supposed to be renting the house per his contract with Maine state housing.:confused:
  • Oct 17, 2007, 05:59 PM
    Fr_Chuck
    No, having a house for sale is not a reason to break a lease, you say rent, then you say lease ( which is it) if it is leased, the new buyer would be obligated to honor the lease.

    Next don't expect dozens of people, that will depend on the market, maybe a few a week to start with them one or two a month latter.

    I don't know that I believe the landlord, never heard of that, but you have no valid reason to break the lease, and you can of course still work at him.
  • Oct 17, 2007, 07:13 PM
    ScottGem
    If you have a lease then the new owners would have to honor it. Nor does it make sense that the state would require he have the house on the market in order to rent it. I suspect he had trouble selling so he decided to rent while he sold.
  • Oct 18, 2007, 09:47 AM
    ajramsey4
    I actually called Maine state housing and they stated without written permission, he does not have the right to have tenants.. he has told us he is applying to get that permission which I believe would make my lease null and void because he did not have it prior to the signing.

    Also My work stated I cannot work at home if the home is for sale, I need to be able to commit to a yr and I cannot do so if a new landlord does not want to renew the lease.. this is a single family home.. not normally a rental property.
  • Oct 19, 2007, 05:24 AM
    ScottGem
    Hmm, weird. But yes, if Maine law states he is not able to rent then the lease is void under that law. Which then gives you the opportunity to vacate.

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