Buddy needs to break lease at apt.

[Mr Pickles]

My buddy is in a tight spot right now. His roomy that he signed the lease with hasn't payed bills in 4 months and has only paid 2 months worth of rent in those four months. My buddy has been worried about his credit and has just fronted the cash to the apartment complex.

He wants out. Has anyone ever broken a lease? What's the best way to handle this? He wants out now with as little penalty as possible. He could care less what happens to his roomy. He just wants out.

Ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[altonb1]

More than likely, he is stuck. He can try to get the apt complex to work with him, but if both names are on the lease, he is still responsible for the rent.

 

[aceO07]

Time to get a new roomy?

 

[Ns1]

bankruptcy proceedings.

 

[BigJ]

Pay someone to arrange an event that would void the lease.

 

[ElFenix]

what does the contract say? usually it's 30 or 60 days notice (for which he'll have to pay rent until the end of) + 1 month/keeping the deposit for exercising the option to terminate (just about all standard apartment contracts have an option to terminate). could also be liable all the way until the place is re-let (the landlord has to make a good faith effort to re-let).


edit: pickle

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
what does the contract say? usually it's 30 or 60 days notice (for which he'll have to pay rent until the end of) + 1 month/keeping the deposit for exercising the option to terminate (just about all standard apartment contracts have an option to terminate)

I've never had one ^_^

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Ns1

Originally posted by: ElFenix
what does the contract say? usually it's 30 or 60 days notice (for which he'll have to pay rent until the end of) + 1 month/keeping the deposit for exercising the option to terminate (just about all standard apartment contracts have an option to terminate)

I've never had one ^_^

a contract? if you've rented you've had a contract.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: Ns1

Originally posted by: ElFenix
what does the contract say? usually it's 30 or 60 days notice (for which he'll have to pay rent until the end of) + 1 month/keeping the deposit for exercising the option to terminate (just about all standard apartment contracts have an option to terminate)

I've never had one ^_^

a contract? if you've rented you've had a contract.

no, an option to terminate

4th lease and I've never had any option to terminate in any of my contracts (and yes I read them all)

 

[Slew Foot]

Most contracts are void if you get deployed, join the army!

 

[S Freud]

Originally posted by: Slew Foot
Most contracts are void if you get deployed, join the army!

Better yet, sign the worthless roommate up for the army!

 

[olds]

If the lease is in both names, he may only be liable for his portion. As long as he is paying his portion, it shouldn't effect his credit. But, that doesn't mean he won't be on the street.

 

[torpid]

If both names are on the lease and there is no termination clause, your buddy is SOL in terms of getting out. I wonder though if there is a legal option for him to have the other leasee removed from the property and taken off the lease?

 

[torpid]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
If the lease is in both names, he may only be liable for his portion. As long as he is paying his portion, it shouldn't effect his credit. But, that doesn't mean he won't be on the street.

It depends on the lease. If this is student housing then I would think it less likely that they are each responsible only for their own amount.

 

[Mr Pickles]

Thanks for the posts guys. I'll try and find some more details on the lease agreement to see what his options are. If anything interesting comes up I'll throw it in here in case some poor sap needs to break his lease and is wondering just how to do it years from now.

 

[Vette73]

Why not just kick roommate out and get a small claims court action for what is owed. Find new roommate, with money, and be happy.