What to do if I’m trying to get out of a lease due to a dangerous environment?
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What to do if I’m trying to get out of a lease due to a dangerous environment?
I signed a lease in an apartment complex about 9 months ago, however I have 3 months
left but can no longer take it. Since I have lived here I have had 5 incidents where I’ve had to call the police. Is there a legal way to get out of the lease because of everything that has happened to me. I have had: a $10,000 motorcycle stolen from my gated parking lot; found a kid overdosed in the parking lot; had an additional motorcycle stolen; caught someone breaking into my car; got the plates stolen off my motorcycle/car; stepped on a used syringe on the parking lot with a used spoon next to it. I have copies of all police reports and have a family. I can’t live here anymore; I am having trouble sleeping at night.
Asked on April 2, 2016 under Real Estate Law, Florida
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
No, unfortunately, you cannot get out of a lease due to the criminal acts of people not under the landlord's control (e.g. non-employees). The lease is a contract between you and your landlord; you can only get out of it without penalty if the *landord* violates its terms in some material, or imporant, way--but the actions of third parties (the criminals) does not impact the validity of the lease.
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