Is there anyway to get off a lease with someone?

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Is there anyway to get off a lease with someone?

My friend has an apartment with her now ex -boyfriend,. He yells at her daily and she is afraid to be there. She wants to move out but she is on the lease until May. He signed the lease back in 05/10 and she was added to it in 01/11. She really needs to move out and doesn’t know what to do. Is there a way to be removed from the lease, or if she walks away from it, will she get in trouble?

Asked on February 8, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Kentucky

Answers:

M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 13 years ago | Contributor

A lease is a signed contract between her and the landlord.  If she can speak with the landlord and have him or her removed from the lease then that is the way to go.  I highly doubt, though, that the landlord will allow it without someone else added to the lease.  He or she has more people to go against should someone default (which is what your friend wants to do here). But listen, she has to get out for her safety which is the most important thing.  An option may be to get a restraining order against him if he is abusive and she fears for her safety.  hen she should be there and he would not, although honestly financially it may be the same result.  She is still liable under the lease for the entire rent (look an see: I am sure that it says "Jointly and severally" on it when it comes to the rent).  SO if she walks away then he has to pay it or be evicted and if he pays it all he can come after her for half or if he is evicted then the landlord comes after both of them.  Good luck.


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