How can I get out of my apartment lease for safety reasons?
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How can I get out of my apartment lease for safety reasons?
I don’t feel safe in my apartment complex anymore. There have been many break-ins and a recent armed robbery in the parking lot. I work night shift and I just don’t feel safe. The apartment manager said “they don’t owe any duty of protection to us”.
Asked on March 20, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Alabama
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Unless your current landlord knew of criminal problems in the area where you now rent before you entered into your lease you do not have a legal and factual basis to cancel your lease without recourse. However, if the landlord did know of such information before you signed your lease and did not tell you such, then you could have a reason to end your lease. Proving such is difficult.
Your apartment manager is wrong about not owing a duty of protection to a tenant. If there are criminal acts in the complex where you live, the landlord needs to have a security guard or other security measures in place. I suggest that you consult further with a landlord tenant attorney about your question.
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