Please help with lease termination!!

[carriestime]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
South Carolina

My husband and I signed a 1 year lease for a townhouse in South Carolina, as we were moving here from Arizona. We were hoping to move into the townhouse in October. The landlord currently has a tenant in the townhouse who is living there while his home is being built and the tenant thought he would be out by the end of September, but no guarantees.

The landlord pre dated the lease from AUGUST 1st, per my request, so my children would be able to start school in the townhouse district while we waited for the present tenant to move. We are currently living with friends in SC.

THE PROBLEM: My husband's employer is no longer moving him to SC and we need to move back to Arizona. We informed the landlord on the 1st of this month (yesterday) that we would no longer be able to move into the townhouse when it becomes available. We gave him a $500 deposit and figured he would keep that, but he insists we are bound by the lease to start paying the rent in October, after his current tenant moves out. What can we do????

THANK YOU for your help ASAP!!What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[Gail in Georgia]

If the lease does not have a buyout clause (typically several months rent), you can begin the process of trying to find another tenant to take your place.

Gail

 

[Banned_Princess]

It is true, you cannot terminate for that reason.

Your best hope is to find a new tenant to take over your lease before you owe any more months.

You could always have your hubby get a new career in the new town.