[ricebec]

I signed the lease and paid the first month's rent and deposit on a house Thursday evening. Friday morning, I called the gas company to have the gas put in my name. I was informed that there had been an incident there over a year ago and a lock was put on the line into the gas fireplace. I was asked if this matter had been resolved. I called the house owner and asked her. She stated she knew nothing about it but had seen something on the line which she removed. She is now stalling on making the repairs stating I won't be using the fireplace right now. I am not comfortable moving in to this house until the matter is resolved. I need to move before the end of the month. Can I get out of the lease and get my moey back?

[Fr_Chuck]

If the landlord removed a Gas Company "lock" they had to know what it was, and this is not a minor issue. It means that the gas fire place is not safe to use. So if the lease or advertisement for the place stated the gas fireplace, and you can not use it, I would say it would be enough to void the lease.

BUT. My opinion or anyone's opinion here means nothing, It will be YOUR JUDGE in YOUR COURT CASE, see, you tell landlord this, they don't agree, so either you sue them for the money back, or they will sue you for the rest of the rent.

Either way this goes to court, before you get your money back, ( I don't see the landlord just agreeing) So it will be the evidence you produce, you will need statements ( in writing from the gas company) you will need copies of any advertizement about the house, to show you were promsed a gas fireplace, and the exact terms of the lease all makes a difference