My daughter and her children just signed a lease for an apartment on Friday morning and moved in. Someone tried to break into the apartment on Friday night, the police were called and they were told by the police that it was a high crime area, that there were many rapes, break-ins and other criminal activity going on there, and she should think about moving for the safety of the children. She went to the leasing office this morning, to try and get out of it, and they told her that she couldn't that if she left she'd owe them over $3,000. Is there anything she can do, since she only signed the lease yesterday? Can the apartment complex hold her to this, even though they know that it is an unsafe environment?

Pretty much the only thing she can do is see if she is able to sublet the apartment. From the court's POV, they will say she should have checked out the area and the crime states BEFORE signing a lease. It doesn't matter if she signed the lease yesterday or two hours ago, it's still a signed lease and it's valid.

Read her lease and see if there is a clause regarding subletting or early termination. It could be the leasing office was telling the truth and it will cost her $3K to get out, but it's possible she was lied to. If there is nothing in her lease regarding these two things she will either have to tough it out until the end of the lease, or not move in, not pay rent and end up with an eviction on her record.

So sorry your daughter is in this situation. Good luck to her and to you.

No, these are things you are suppose to check before you sign the lease