Getting out of Lease Early? Penalties?

Question

I have looked over my lease and it doesn't say anything about a penalty for breaking your lease early. When I moved in I was assured they would work with me if I needed to break the lease early for any reason however that was a management couple. Now the owner has taken over and she is really a witch.
 It took her over 2 months to cash my checks and when I called to confirm she had received them since the managers cashed them within a week of receiving them. Anyway she was really rude and was like well I haven't checked but if I don't get your check then I'LL CALL YOU! Super rude! Plus she charges an exorbitant late fee so its kinda crap that she wouldn't tell me if she hadn't got a check (I send them a week early). My neighbor, another of her tenants, has had sewage back up in the yard and she said she would get her husband to look at it. The guy took the day off to meet with them and then she texted last minute saying there is an emergency at another rental and he isn't showing up, the tenant told her they had taken the day off and were losing money her response "things happen". She isn't taking money off for their day off work! 
Anyway I overlooked the problems I had with the unit because management was good... however now that she has taken over I would rather leave. She holds checks forever, she is rude, and I've had a problem since I moved in that still hasn't been fixed. She is just a nasty individual and now that I have to deal with her I'd rather look for a better rental.
Anyway the carpets old. The

R P · Accepted Answer

There is no law in this country against rudeness.

If your lease does not have an early termination clause, you are bound by it until it's expiration.  Your lease trumps anything the former manager told you

A Hunch · Answer

you signed a lease.  if there is not a early cancellation clause then you go by the state's regulations which is all states is: you are required to pay rent until the unit is leased to a new tenant or your original lease expires.  

If you want new carpet, make that a requirement before moving in.  Do not move in, if the carpet has not been changed.
What is the problem with someone taking 2 months to cash your check.  Keep a bank register and reconcile your account on a monthly basis, which you should doing anyway, and you will ALLOWS know how much money you have available.
So she's rude... it's really hard to find a perfect landlord = some are rude, some are too involved, some are nice to your face and never finish your maintenance requests....

realtor.sailor · Answer

While it may not be in your lease your state's landlord/tenant laws cover the subject.  Generally you are responsible for all the rent until your lease expires, or until the unit can be rented.

Slickterp · Answer

She has no obligation to cash your checks to suit your schedule.  

"She isn't taking money off for their day off work!" - Nor is she obligated to.  They didn' actually have to take off work.  

Doesn't seem like she'd be too agreeable to letting you out.  It will cost you at minimum rent until the place is re-rented, and probably your deposit.

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Getting out of Lease Early? Penalties?

4 Answers