What’s the best way to get out of a lease?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

What’s the best way to get out of a lease?

Possible relocation of job. Also found out he hasn’t paid mortgage for about 17 months.

Asked on October 13, 2011 under Real Estate Law, New York

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

Unfortunately, neither of the grounds you describe would give you a basis for getting out of the lease:

1) It's not the landlord's issue or concern that you have a job opportunity and wish to relocate. Unless the lease specifically allows you to terminate the lease in that circumstance, you are still obligated to it, and the landlord can hold accountable for the rent.

2) IF and WHEN the landlord is foreclosed upon and loses possession of the building, that will terminate your lease and let you out of it. But until that happens, the landlord still owns it and is still your landlord; as long as he owns the building and can grant you possession as a renter, the fact that he's behind on his mortgage is irrelevant.

Basically, as long as the landlord is honoring his obligations under the lease, you are obligated to it, too.


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.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption