CanI break my lease for safety reasons?
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CanI break my lease for safety reasons?
I am currently in month 6 of a 12 month lease on a rental house. I have a neighbor that lets his dogs roam loose. They are continously coming into my yard and attacking my dogs. It is usually 3-4 against 1 of my dogs. Well they started recently going after my puppy. I have called Animal Control over 10 times and they haven’t done anything about it. These dogs have come into my yard and attacked 1 of my dogs over 30 times. I really don’t want to shoot the dogs (even though I have that right) because I am worried about retaliation. I have a fiance and an 8 month old son.
Asked on February 3, 2012 under Real Estate Law, North Carolina
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You have a right to be safe in your home and a landlord has an obilgation to keep you that way to an extent. Now, it does sound as if these dogs are a danger to your family - and not just the other dogs, which is what will hold most weight. But do not just leave. You need to go to court and ask them to have your lease terminated otherwise you would be in breach of the lease and obligated to continue to pay rent. Good luck.
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