Breaking my lease Agreement

[bigbule33]

I need to break my 1 year lease agreement by February because I bought a house. The manager of the apartment complex said the the only way out is by paying 2 months rent. Nowhere in the lease says that. There is no previsions about breaking the lease in the agreement. The lease says they need 60 day notice if leaving after the end of the agreement... again it doesn't say anything about leaving before.

I am giving them 60 day notice.

Can they make me pay that? What if i just leave and don't pay them the 2-months?

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

You signed a contract for a year lease. Legally, you can be held reponsible for the entire length of this lease. Buying a house does not negate you of this.

Your landlord is actually being quite generous allowing you to break this lease with just two months rent penalty.

You might discuss with your landlord whether you can find someone to take over (i.e., "sublet") the lease when you leave in February.

If you simply leave you will not only forfeit any security deposit (which can be used for owed rent) but your landlord may file a lawsuit against you and once the judgement is won in his/her favor, consider filing for garnishment of wages (depending on the state you live in) or your bank account. This record of losing a judgement will remain on your credit record.

Gail