Getting out of lease early.

[jldrace6]

I live in Pennsylvania. I am getting married and buying a house, but I still have six months on my lease. I am also having electrical problems that I have called my landlord about several times. Each time a maintenance man comes out says he fixed the problem and then a week later the lights start to flicker again. Now when the lights flicker we can hear noises coming from the circuit breaker and the lights go off every once in awhile. I just want out of my lease. I am tired of calling them and tired of worrying wether or not I am going to come home to a burned down apartment. They have come out everytime I have called them. Can i get out of my lease?

 

[jlw1000]

Try approaching the landlord about terminating your lease early. He may be able to get another tenant in there and not charge you any penalties. You never know, he might be charging you below market value for rent, and would be happy to re-rent at a higher rate.

As for the electrical, let him know that the problem has been a tricky one for his maintenance people. He may need an electrician to look at it.

Most landlords are willing to work with tenants, especially if you have been a good one. He may be willing to cooperate in view of all the exciting changes in your life.

Best of luck and congratulations.

 

[jldrace6]

I have requested already to get out of my lease. The problem is that the apartment is owned by a large company and they have over a hundred apartment buildings. They told me that my only choices are to pay the lease off or sublet. The first is not an option. The second, who wants to live in a place that constantly has problems. I wouldn't wish this apartment on my worst enemy. When I asked them to get a professional electrician out they told me that their maintence guy is a professional electrician. How long am I supposed to wait for an electrical problem like this gets fixed before I can take action. I feel like a sitting duck.

 

[jlw1000]

I would get a copy of your landlord tenant codes. I would also send a letter to the apartment manager detailing the times that their maintenance man has been out & the results of his visits. I would again request a professional electrician, and let them know that you are afraid this is a hazard so you would like a response within 48 hours. If there is no response, or if the maintenance man does his usual poor job, I would contact the local housing authority.

My husband is an electrician & he said that this could be a symptom of something serious so you should get it fixed quickly.