Hello I have a question with no one to help me. I have been leaving a rental apt for 1 1/2 yrs and I am living with my father who is a co-tenant. Well this past month the dr's told my father that he as terminal cancer and that he would only live approx 3 to 6 months tops. I oofered my landlord that I would stay another 2 months my question is can I break a lease that's is more than half way through with no penalty since it's a health cond of my father. I can't really afford to stay. I live in fort lauderdale Florida. Thanks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cancer Tenant

Hello i have a question with no one to help me. i have been leaving a rental apt for 1 1/2 yrs and i am living with my father who is a co-tenant. well this past month the dr's told my father that he as terminal cancer and that he would only live approx 3 to 6 months tops. i oofered my landlord that i would stay another 2 months my question is can i break a lease thats is more than half way thru with no penalty since its a health cond of my father. i can't really afford to stay. i live in fort lauderdale florida. thanks

---

Who is on the lease? Both of you? One of you? You can TRY to break the lease, TRY to negotiate, but unless the landlord wants to cooperate, you are either the person who signed the contract or the co-signer and you are responsible for the rent.

Judy is right. You need to explain to us if co-tenant actually means you both signed the lease. If so, you are still committed for the duration of the lease all on your own. Your dad may live longer or short, nobody knows for sure so there is still time for him to make arrangements. Is there a will, what does it say about you?

Yes we are both on the lease and have try in good faith to negotiate with landlord but no luck :( . He does not have a will since he as been a man to have enjoyed life pretty dfam good.. I undersand that just about all leases have loop holes where I can actually try to make the landlord break my lease with out losing my dep. Thanks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cancer Tenant

yes we are both on the lease and have try in good faith to negotiate with landlord but no luck :( . he does not have a will since he as been a man to have enjoyed life pretty dfam good.. i undersand that just about all leases have loop holes where i can actually try to make the landlord break my lease with out loosing my dep. thanks

---

Florida is tough - in Florida the landlord doesn't have to make an effort to replace a tenant. He/she can simply ride out the lease and charge the (former) tenant for the whole lease period.

I think you have to try to negotiate again - maybe he'll allow you to sublet. Maybe take a letter from the Physician.

You have so much going on right now and I wish I had a better answer - but I don't.