Do I Have Grounds to Terminate Lease?

[kempassoc]

There are a few things landlord verbally said would be fixed right after I moved in, they haven't been.

The landlord told me the electric bill is no higher that 300.00. My first one was $697.00, and now my second one $597.00. She is also having me pay water to her, looking at previous bills over 6 month period, average 60.00 a month. Mine is $149.00, I am assuming due to leak in pool that I have to fill up pool every week. And leak in pool pump. As well as watering grass everyother day as they requested because previous tennants didn't keep up with lawn.

These utilities are breaking me. Do I have grounds for terminating lease? :nuts

 

[jacksgal]

In order for you to break lease there must a breach! Where is the breach and what state is this home in?

 

[presutin]

No, you don't. Have her address the leak on the pool though. Averages do not mean consumption when it comes to utilities.

 

[kempassoc]

The home is in Texas. I have addressed the issues with her about fixing the crack in the pool, the pump leaking and was told they would be fixed. The back door doesnt have a lock in it as prior tennant busted it open, the only way to keep it closed is with a chain, that was suppose to be fixed and hasn't been. The air conditioner was broke the first 3 weeks I lived there from day 1. They finally got it fixed, but it drove up electric bills. I thought if once you move into the property and find that the value of the property wasn't even close to what you pay, or the utilities were alot more than origanally told and your in a hardship, you could terminate lease?

 

[jacksgal]

Google your states Tenant/Landlord laws. Find out the "legal" means to resolve this. You cannot just up and say breach and leave there are steps to take first. One might be do the reapirs yourself and deduct amount from rent. Check laws first. You also need to document your request for repairs with date time etc. This verbal back and forth cannot be proved in court if it goes that far. Make another request for repairs in writing using whatever form (if any) Landlord provides for such repairs. Save copy for yourself include date of request and date Landlord was given request. Document any promises made by Landlord and anythng he gives you in writing. In meantime google Texas rental laws and/or contact a Tenant/Landlord Attorney. If you do this wrong you could be evicted, sued or the like. This will make finding new rental very difficult