Can I get out of my lease if the house is overly dirty, unsafe andthe landlord refusing to make repairs?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Can I get out of my lease if the house is overly dirty, unsafe andthe landlord refusing to make repairs?
We moved into our home after my husband saw it once. We were told it was being painted and repairs were being made. We moved in and had 2 leaking toilets, sink that leaks, carpet stains all over and found out a few weeks before we moved in the woman committed suicide here and she would have homeless friends come over and use the house (they still are showing up at my here). We changed the locks for security purposes but the house is still dirty after scrubbing and things still broken and we don’t feel safe. I’m 6 months pregnant and we have 2 kids ages 5 and 6.
Asked on October 21, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Virginia
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
1) The home seems as if, despite being dirty and having some leaks and other problems, it is habitable--that it is, broadly speaking, fit to be used as residence. That means there is no violation of an implied warranty of habitability, and no grounds to get out of the lease because the home is uninhabitable. The implied warranty of habitability is only violated by things like major roof leaks, mold, lack of heat, no hot water, etc. Toilet leaks, dirt, etc. don't violate it.
2) The fact that homeless friends of the former resident keep coming over does not give you grounds to terminate the lease; that is something over which the landlord has no control and for whcih he or she is not responsible.
3) IF the landlord promised that repairs, paint, etc. would be done, and that promise was made prior to you signing the lease, and the only reason you signed the lease was because of the promise, that may provide grounds to rescind the contract (on account of fraud--that is, misrepesentations) or to force the landlord to keep his or her promise and do these things (based on the theory of promissory estoppel). You should consult with an attorney about the situation.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.