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skrzyp · Sep 18, 2009, 07:17 PM

I signed a one year lease on April 1, 2009 and I lost my fulltime job and parttime job due to the bad economy and now I am only living on unemployment in the state of Florida and I receive $1200 a month and my rent is $800. I overdraft every month just to pay by the first so I won't get charged any late penalities. Can I break my lease as I plan to move out of state to live with my daughter rent free and seek employment in Texas? Will they sue me for the remainder of the lease as I can't afford to keep living like this month to month? I am 55 years old and I have lived here for three years and paid on time and I can't even collect food stamps as I get too much money from the unemployment. Please try and give me encouraging news as I can't afford a judgement against me as I am really destitute. Thank you in advance as I am at the end of my rope and fear what will happen to me.

ScottGem · Sep 18, 2009, 07:27 PM

Nope, and Florida is the worst state to try this. Florida law does not require a landlord to make a good faith effort to find a new tenant.

So you have three options:
1) negotiate a buyout with the landlord or se if he will let you out of the lease.
2) Sublet the apartment.
3) find a new tenant the landlord approves of.

skrzyp · Sep 18, 2009, 07:41 PM

So technically I am screwed

Fr_Chuck · Sep 18, 2009, 08:13 PM

Well yes and no, if you can't pay, you can't pay, so first go and talk to them, they may work something out.

If not, don't pay overdraft fees trying to pay rent.

If you only have 10 dollars you can't pay 20 dollars in bills, so you do what you have to, and then catch up latter when you get back to work

But Fla is the worst state for this, and yes they can sue you for the entire amount of they don't find another renter, or to the point it is rented out.

Can you help find another renter to take your place ?

ScottGem · Sep 19, 2009, 12:09 AM

Originally Posted by skrzyp

So technically I am screwed

I gave you some options. While you are "behind the 8 ball" you are not necessarily "screwed". Try out your options first. No landlord wants a late paying tenant. If they feel they will have no problem replacing you, then may let you go.