Can you break your aparment lease?

Answer 1

It varies with each situation.But it boils down to the lease agreement itself. Just as you the renter have terms and conditions that you have to abide, so too does the landlord/property manager. If the landlord violates his/her terms of the lease agreement, then this can be considered a Breach of Contract, enabling you to take legal action. Among the possibilities is to have the agreement declared null and void, enabling you to legally walk away.

In general, the landlord has responsibility (under varying health and safety laws) to keep the apartment in habitable condition. An uninhabitable apartment (because of health or structural concerns) is one reason for renters to seek to break agreements without penalty. But follow proper procedures and be sure to obtain enough evidence to make a case before a judge, should it come to that.

If you are forced to move because of deployment orders from the military, reserves, or National Guard, then you may be protected from penalties that would result from breaking an agreement, so long as you can present your orders to your landlord.

There are other valid reasons for breaking an apartment lease, but almost all of the ones not listed above will result in some sort of financial penalty. There are various things that can be done (such as discussing things with the landlord) to mitigate undue hardships and make the transition smoother for everyone.

Answer 2

Almost all leases have "escape clauses" that allow the tenant to break the lease for reasons that are listed in the lease. Also, states have laws regarding landlord responsibilities to the tenant, and the landlord may be sued if they do not meet these obligations.

Please note that each state has their own laws regarding landlord-tenant responsibilities.