I have a friend and her mother who are stuck in a lease. My friend was rapped and wants to press charges but is scared to do so because her ex boyfriend who rapped her is in a gang. She wants to break the lease to press charges and move out so they don't have to worry about the ex and his gang friends. If they file a police report will this give them grounds to break a lease and move? I think it is valid enough reason but she told me she consulted one friend of the family who is a lawyer and he said it was hard. I refuse to believe you can not break a lease under these terms. Any feedback would be helpful, breaking a 2 yr lease would be extremely expensive for them and they can not afford this.

Thank you.

I don't see how a rape charge can break a lease. Pretty far fetched. Maybe she should file a police report (after the fact) and just move if she is afraid of repercussions. Gangs?? Okay, is she afraid for her life and the lives of the people she lives with? Just get protection for heavens sake and get on with it.

Tick

It doesn't matter what you believe, its what the law says. If every tenant was allowed to break a lease because they live in a bad neighborhood, or because they were a victim of a crime, there would be no landlords.

I agree with their lawyer friend. They have 3 choices:

1) negotiate a buyout (usually about 2 months rent

2) sublet (if the lease allows)

3) find a replacement tenant agreeable to the landlord.