How to get out of a lease?
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How to get out of a lease?
I signed a lease with a landlord on 3 days ago because I was told I had to move but now I don’t have to. I told the landlord that I need out of the lease and he said there was no way to break it because my roommate already moved in. But he pressured her to move all her stuff during the weekend even though she said she needed the week. She used to live in an apartment upstairs. I’m pretty sure that there is a 3 day law in OH about breaking a lease and I don’t even have a copy of the lease to look at. What should I do?
Asked on November 14, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Ohio
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
What you are thinking about here is a "3-day right of rescission". This is a legal remedy that allows consumers with the right to cancel contracts that they have entered into within 72 hours. However, this right is uncommon. Typically, it only applies to a few types of transactions and, unfortunately for you, my research suggests the real estae lease agreements are not among them. Therefore you are bound by the terms of a lease once it has been signed. A contract is a contract.
Why don't you or your roommate try to find a substitute tenant? If you can see if a new lease with just their names on it can be executed. if not, then you can "sublease" your room (with the landlord's permission) but you will still be liable for the rent if the subtenant fails to pay.
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