QUESTION
Is there a way I can get out of my apartment lease 5 months early?
Asked on Apr 25th, 2013 on Landlord and Tenant Law - Ohio
More details to this question:
I am recently divorced and I have moved in with my girlfriend at her house. 7 months ago I rented an apartment in which to live and visit with my children (16 and 18). Since I am living with my GF I no longer need the apartment. With support payments, money is tight and would like to lighten the financial load. As it stands, I am falling short on money each month.
1 ANSWER
Dear James: Based upon what you stated, there is no legal grounds for terminating your lease early. However, you should talk to your landlord and see if he/she would be willing to let you out of your lease early due to your financial situation. There is nothing that requires your landlord to let you out early, but often times they will in exchange for you paying some sort of "penalty" like two months rent, surrender of security deposit, etc. Also, if you leave the property and quit paying rent, your landlord could sue you for damages for the unpaid rent left on your total lease, up to a certain amount. Best approach is to contact your landlord and see if you can work out some type of arrangement to end the lease early.
Answered on Apr 26th, 2013 at 3:18 PM