Apartment lease braking (Howe: rental, credit report, month to)

[home4matt]

Folks

I lived in an apartment for almost 2.5 years. The first two years when I extended my contract due to my job nature, I requested to my apartment management to give me one month rent as early termination fees and they agreed. But the current contract they put 3 months rent as early termination fees.
I informed the apartment management that due to change in my work location, I will have to leave the apartment in short time but will be able to pay 1 month's rent. They obviously refused.
what are the consequences if brake the lease and leave end of the current month? what are the options I have to settle this one?

M.

[staunchcharacter]

braking?

I'd recommend a ceramic disc brake for that: Less dust, light squeal and they run tons cooler.

If it's breaking you're after, I'd reread your TAA contract and see what they have you for. No matter what you say at the end of the day, if you have a signed contract with them, you're on the hook for whatever the paper stipulates.

[austindoxie1972]

I guess you could just leave and assume that are some point they'll go to Small Claims Court over the amount. Is this a huge apartment management firm or a small-time rental? A mark may go on your credit report. It will take a while. I'd be sure to lease a new place as soon as possible.

Next time, read the lease carefully. I know life changes fast, so it's hard to imagine every possible scenario. Best of luck to you!

[need4speed2012]

You'll own the remaining balance that you signed because its always best to read any contract twice and never assume !!!!

[TexasRedneck]

Settle with them before leaving, even if it's on a payment plan. Don't let it go into court, because you'll not only lose, you'll end up with "hits" on your credit AND tacked-on attorney fees.

[jrossjr79]

Late fee penalties plus lawyer cost, court cost, as well as a hit on your credit report, you also lose the ability of using them (especially since you been there for 2+ years) as a rental referral source.

[BloggerAnna]

Originally Posted by jrossjr79

Late fee penalties plus lawyer cost, court cost, as well as a hit on your credit report, you also lose the ability of using them (especially since you been there for 2+ years) as a rental referral source.

OP, you may wanna try and negotiate it down to 2 months early termination fee (versus 3 months), and ask for a payment plan. Have you tried contacting their Corporate Office? If you speak to the *right* person, they may work with you.

[jameshardin]

Hey there,

I am sorry you are going through this, apartment managers can be very finicky and difficult to work with. In my experience, the best thing to do is to try and work things out with them in a calm and reasoning manner. If you try to fight them too hard, they can shut down and really cost you a lot of money.

Now I don't have your contract in front of me, nor am I an expert on apartment leases, but here is the jist of it.
- You are still responsible for your lease. Many apartment managers will make you pay the entire lease balance upon vacating your unit. They have the legal right to accelerate it, and call the lease due. However, if you work with them, they might be kind and let you pay month to month until the unit is released.
- In Texas, they cannot legally charge double rent. As soon as the unit is re leased, and the new tenant is paying rent, you are not obligated to further pay on the unit. If the apartment manager called your balance due, and you paid it, she is obligated to pay you back the remainder as this is still double rent.
- If you got any special concessions (a free months rent, etc), you will most likely have to pay them back.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

[bigtexan99]

Originally Posted by home4matt

Folks

I lived in an apartment for almost 2.5 years. The first two years when I extended my contract due to my job nature, I requested to my apartment management to give me one month rent as early termination fees and they agreed. But the current contract they put 3 months rent as early termination fees.
M.

Do you have copies of the first 2 years lease that shows one month rent for termination? I would show that to the general manager and ask for them to honor it, or at least compromise at 2.

But its up to the GM. If your current lease shows 3 months, then thats what a judge would go with.