Can I get out of my apartment lease legally due to security issues without having to pay the remainder of the lease?
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Can I get out of my apartment lease legally due to security issues without having to pay the remainder of the lease?
We have had a bicycle stolen and my husband’s vehicle has been broken into twice. We have notified the office and filed 2 police reports.
Asked on August 6, 2011 Texas
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
It depends. If you failed to you to do your homework before you sign a lease, in other words if the general area is unsafe, that is not management's fault. However, if in the complex itself management has failed to provide security and it was promised to you when you signed the lease, then you could have grounds for an early lease termination (check your lease). For example, were you promised a security gaurd on the premises and management has failed to provide one? Another valid reason would be if they knew or should have known that criminal activity to be conducted on the premises (i.e. drug dealing).
If you move without a legitimate reason as outlined above, then you can be held liable for your remaining lease payments. Additionally, your credit could be negatively affected.
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