[hihopes1]

I lost my job last week and cannot make rent for next month. Landlord said if I wanted to vacate early then I would have to pay the remaining amount on the lease (2 months).


What are my options?

[stevetcg]

Your options are to pay, to run and get sued or to find someone to assume your lease.

[HistorianChick]

Unfortunately, when you sign a lease, you sign a promise to pay for however long the contract states. When you cannot pay that lease amount, you have to abide by what the contract/landlord has stated.

Unless you can work out some type of payment plan with your landlord, you have to pay the complete amount.

[ScottGem]

While I don't disagree with your first two responses, unless you are in Florida, the landlord is required to make a good faith effort to re rent the unit. And they cannot double dip, so once its rented, your obligation ends.

[hihopes1]

Thank you all for clarifying my options, but after further review of my lease (Terms & Conditions) or within the "Resident Handbook and Community Policies" about negative consequences towards me should I choose to end the lease early.

Am I obligated to pay the remaining 2 months even though it states no where in my lease agreement nor written policies?

Thanks in advance!

[LisaB4657]

If your lease does not address the consequences of breaking your lease then by law you are responsible for the rent until the landlord re-rents the property or the end of the lease term, whichever occurs first. However, as noted above, in almost all states the landlord is required to make a reasonable effort to re-rent.

[ScottGem]

As Lisa noted, the absence of a early termination clause in your lease, or a statutory requirement that there be one, means that you are required to fulfill the full terms of your lease.

[hihopes1]

Thank you all for your expertise!