Question
I rent an apartment in Florida, and need to get out of my lease early?
I am getting a new job in NY and still have 7 months left on my lease, is there any law in Florida that allows a tenant to break a lease without being penalised if their job takes them away from the area? I left a security deposit and last months rent, would I be allowed to get the deposit back? Or at the very least I dont want the early lease termination to go on my credit report....
2 years ago - 3 answers
Best Answer
Chosen by Asker
Early lease termination in Fl is only legally applicable to military transfers (fl st. 83.682 Termination of rental agreement by a servicemember) Being honest from the get-go with your landlord is the best solution to an early lease termination. Keep in mind, a lease is a binding contract no different than purchasing an item on time, in this case, your residence. Property managers, as a general rule, lose 2 months rent when a tenant terminates early, particularly without notification. Know that by law you will lose your security deposit by the amount of your rent but only deducted at the time your rent is due each month, any damage, and last month's rent if the apartment is not re-rented any time soon. More than likely, you will cost the landlord more than you will be losing and the landlord could take you to court for this deficit. So your course of action is as follows: *Notify landlord asap *Clean apartment so it can be shown (this let's Landlord know that you take this issue seriously) *Cooperate Cooperate Cooperate (no landlord likes to sue, but will if necessary) Good luck in NY and remember you will probably need a reference from past landlords.
Source(s)
Landlords' Rights & Duties in Florida by Warda, 10th ed The 2006 Florida Statutes Title VI CIVIL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE Chapter 83LANDLORD AND TENANT PART II RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES
by fuzzynucker
2 years ago
Asker's Rating: 
Other Answers
Most leases have a transfer clause, but if you actually switching employers, it may not apply. Your best bet is to try for a sub-lease, someone to take over the lease on the apartment. Good luck.
by Fred C- 2 years ago
Negotiate with your landlord. Since you have 7 months left on your lease and you don't want this on your credit, offer to let him keep the deposit if he let's you early terminate with no penalty or credit liens. Tell him you'll even help him show the property to new potential renters. If you don't try to screw him over he should be understanding about you geting a new job. hope this helps, SELL2K
by SELL2K_com- 2 years ago