I just signed a lease in November but I want to move. I don’t want to affect my credit so what should I do?
I have had mice problems since I have moved in here last year. The complex would send out pest control who would set out traps but this wouldn’t take care of the problems. Finally after I had gotten real rude and threatened to leave they sent out pest control who put poison down. This seems to have taken care of the problem so far but the thing is I am afraid that the mice will come back. My daughter is walking now and I don’t want to take a chance of her running into a mouse. When I first complained management told me that I was the only one who complained so it didn’t seem to be much of a problem. When I asked other tenants about mice they said that they had seen a few but they didn’t want to cause problems so they didn’t want to say anything. When I first complained and they ignored me I sent a certified letter to them to make sure that they had got the letter so I have evidence of my complaints (also letters from them addressing my problems) but they won’t let me leave.
When I moved in last year I didn’t have a choice because I was starting fresh as a single mother and I didn’t want my kids living in a shelter (Ihad just gotten out of an abusive relationship). Within the past year I have gotten on my feet and I am doing much better now. When I told them I wanted to move before I signed a new lease the manager said ok but then the new landlord told me that I didn’t get a good report from my current landlord so I didn’t get the new apartment. I work 8-10 hours a day which made it hard for me to look for new housing and when I asked the manager why I got a bad report I was told that they didn’t want me to leave because I was a good tenant and I paid my rent on time. She also said I had to sign a new lease or leave. I didn’t have much time left so I signed the lease.The complex has been under new management since about 3 weeks after I signed my lease and they told me that it doesn’t matter what the last manager said because she is no longer there.
LOL! I am scared of cats! My son has a frog and a turtle but I don’t think they will help. When I was in my co-workers apartment (who stays in the building right next to me) we saw one run across the floor. This was last week so that is why I am afraid the mice will come back. She said that she was told that since a field is behind us that the mice will always come from there. I will definitely call the health department if I see another one!


July 6th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Usually there is an early termination fee. Just explain your situation and see what your options are.
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July 12th, 2010 at 7:36 am
You are doing the right thing by keeping a paper trail. It is best if you talk to a lawyer. You can do the following:
(1) Withhold rent due to the mice situation – be sure to keep rent amount in an escrow account.
(2) Talk to the Property Manager or the Management Company – see if they will be willing to release you from the lease without penalty (be sure to get a signed & notarized letter if they decide to)
(3) Pay the penalty amount for breaking your lease.
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July 19th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Check your lease for a section or addendum about breaking the lease. Some communities will let you pay a reletting fee that is a percentage of your normal months rent. If they will not agree to a 30 days notice + reletting fee, take the issue to their corporate office (more than likely they will not give you the phone number, so you will have to do the research yourself). You can also consult your local/state housing authority or apartment association.
I am a property manager.
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July 28th, 2010 at 11:36 am
Unfortunately, if you can’t sublet you may be stuck. Depending upon the state and local laws. Most laws that concern breaking a lease fall in favor of the lessor.
Take the owner of the property to small claims court to try and break the lease before you move out. Notice that I said the owner. The reason for this is that you are not allowed to have a proxy or and attorney appear for you in small claims unless you have a physical or mental condition that impedes your ability to show up. In my experience (I’ve had 2) the fat cat slum lord won’t want to take time out of his/her busy day to go in and will direct the manager to “solve” the problem, if indeed you do have any kind of a case.
Good Luck and be wary or signing leases in the future.
I am a property manager.
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August 7th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
You say last year….did you mean last month? How long of a lease is it?
The time to leave was when you threatened to do so and you had an infestation problem. If the problem was corrected, you most likely can’t break a lease because you “fear” something might happen.
I am a property manager.
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August 19th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
You took all the right steps in protecting yourself. You can not leave if you have signed a lease on the assumption that you might see another mouse… If you break your lease you will owe on the unit until it is rented again. It may hurt you in the long run depending on your landlord. Talk to your landlord about breaking your lease but don’t use the mice as an excuse since as far as they know they have taken care of the problem although it took you getting upset with them for them to do so, so stay away from the mice problem and talk to them face to face that always helps.
Good Luck!!!
I am a property manager.
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September 2nd, 2010 at 7:36 pm
I got out of a rental agreement after one month once, without needing to pay for the whole 6 months. I did this by convincing the agent (who also sold properties) that I had loads of money and was interested in buying one of his, even going as far as viewing a couple of these for-sale properties with him. He let me out of the rental contract no problems, he was a bit pissed off when I didn’t buy a house from him though.
Not sure this would work in your situation though, as it sounds like you’ve already taken an adverserial position against them. Still it’s worth considering that a drop of honey (or the prospect of money) can get you further with people than a gallon of gaul (famous quote by Dale Carnigie)
I am a property manager.
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