[sshipp]

I am a newly divorced single mother with a 5 year old daughter. I found a rental house that I felt was perfect until after I moved in. Once moved in I continually heard horror stories about the previous owners. There kids were big time trouble makers and into drugs. When the house went under foreclosure the children were upset and broke into the home twice after the parents had moved out.

I figured this wasn't going to happen now that it has been about a year since the last incident.

This past Sunday (thankfully my daughter and I were gone). Someone smashed in my window and kicked in my door (same way the kids did it) And violently vandalized my house. (Broke furniture, holes in walls, etc.) They played with my guns however they did not steal them, only my TV due to one of the neighbors hearing them break in. After the incident and speaking with surrounding neighbors every one of them told me they think it was those kids.

I am in constant fear now of them coming back. Yes I know it is typical to feel this way but I just can't get it out of my head that they were stopped from finishing what they wanted to do and now have an idea of what is still in my home. And that they will come back. I know it is a lot of what ifs I just don't like to imagine that if one of those what ifs come true and my daughter and I are there.

So my question is, how can I get out of my lease?

[smoothy]

Those aren't legal reasons to get out of a lease.. none of them being the fault of or responsibility of the landlord... you should walk away but you will be held liable for the full amount until the lease expires or until the landlord is able to find a new tenant.

Hate to tell you that... but that's the reality of it... crime isn't a lease violation.. unless the landlords themselves were committing the crime.

[Fr_Chuck]

It could be any group of kids, in fact after a year and other people owning house, and other people living in house, my guess just local gangs or other kids trying for a thrill.

But this is not a reason to break a lease, you need to perhaps get a dog, and/or add a security system to the house, that way, police are called and alarms go off, anytime someone breaks in.

You can not break lease for crime in the area or someone breaking into the home.

[joypulv]

One key word here is PREVIOUS owners. If it were the current owner's kids, you might have a case. But this owner has no liability for past owners.