Anyone ever successfully talk their way out of paying the remainder of their lease?

[madsommer]

There has been some restructuring in pay for DH's job and we simply cannot afford to live in this apartment any more. If we break our lease we would have to pay two months which would be $2700 and there is absolutely NO way we could pay that.

We're behind in all of our utilities, at the end of this month I'll be behind in 2 months of car payments, and I'll barely be able to squeak out the car insurance for both cars. (Not to mention all the other bills that haven't been paid ver the past few months).

DH is trying to find a new job - but let's be realistic...the likelihood of this happening anytime soon is sliim to none. Unfortunately we wouldn't be able to live with my in-laws as they are renting a (4 bedroom) town home that stipulates that they cannot have guests for more than two weeks (why they won't take the chance and let us stay with them, I have no idea but my MIL told me a long time ago that we couldn't). My family lives on the other side of the country so that's not an option either.

But if we could just reduce the amount we're paying in rent, that would help a whole lot. Any ideas? I know the leasing office is full of really really nice people so I think it might be possible to sweet talk them...but who knows.

[mich]

It never hurts to try. I would prefer to keep a good tenant and reduce their rent than have to find a new tenant. Ask for a rent reduction, tell them you can no longer afford the current rate. See what they say.

To answer your question, I have had tenants break leases early for many reasons. I'm not the type to sue or take action. I just find a new tenant.

[mtm]

ask for a rent break if you repaint, shovel snow, do stuff around the place or at their other rentals. If they know they will lose you otherwise, they might just reduce the rent to keep good tenants.

[laohaire]

I like the above options the best, but another to consider - if that doesn't work, can you find a new tenant to take your place? Of course your landlord would need to vet the new person, but otherwise, if they are reasonable, that should be a win-win situation.

I know you can't cough up $2700 right now but it's still good you only have 2 months left. The landlord might be more flexible, or at least your penalties a little smaller than if you had, say, 10 months left. Surely something can be worked out.

[whiddle]

Are you renting from a person or a big corporation? I would try and talk to them see if maybe you could work cleaning the apts when people move out (or in), mow the grass anything. I don't know. I have been let out of my lease before but it was because of the maintenance mans misbehavior. Otherwise, once you move they will generally set up payments so that you can pay the amount owed.

[mnt_mommy]

Agreed. Be sure that you explain to them that it's not that you are "trying to trim your budget" it's that if something doesn't give, the rent will a going partially paid in a few months.
Legal action is expensive, and even if they do evict you, it will cost them at least $500 to fill your vacancy. I know that is what it is costing Denver landlords to find a tenant (advertising, office staff, staff time for tours, fees).
Offering to do maintenance sounds like a great offer. (Your one year old may even be able to come with you, in a carrier, for some of the lighter tasks)
BTW, if you look for a replacement tenant, try craigslist. It's a good deal for them if bc you paid the deposit (and let them apply it forward), and they can get into a lease term for fewer months.
If you're desperate, you could pay half a month's rent for them. This is what someone was trying to get me to do when I was checking craigslist.

[madsommer]

Thanks for the suggestions! We are renting from a large corporation so I don't know how willing they'd be to let us sub work for payment. But I think we mya talkto them about a rent reduction or maybe we can try subletting.

We actually have 8 months remaining on the lease, but I read over the terms and saw that as long as you give 30 days notice, you can just pay 2 months rent in penalties.

[Purple Sage]

I just want to wish you luck.

We had just begun a lease on an apartment (big corporation) when the restaurant my husband worked at had a fire and closed for almost a year. He didn't find another job right away so we had no other choice but to move. I tried to explain the situation, but they wouldn't budge. We did get to pay the fees in installments, though, so they were at least a little bit flexible.

[madsommer]

Originally Posted by lemongrass

I just want to wish you luck.

We had just begun a lease on an apartment (big corporation) when the restaurant my husband worked at had a fire and closed for almost a year. He didn't find another job right away so we had no other choice but to move. I tried to explain the situation, but they wouldn't budge. We did get to pay the fees in installments, though, so they were at least a little bit flexible.

This is what I'm concerned of...this leasing corp has properties all over the country. And while the ladies for my complex are very nice, this issues is most likely out of their hands. I'll discuss with DH and see what he wants to do.

[bobandjess99]

Well..look at the cost of leaving and paying the penalty, vs staying....
..how much cheaper of a place could you realistically obtain? $2700 over the remaining 8 months left is about $330 per month...so, if you could find a place for $330 per month less, you would be breaking even..you would need to find something at least $350 or more less per month to gain any money by moving.
You are paying 1350 now? That means youd have to get something for less than a thousand a month...can you do that where you are?

You say you could be okay if you could just pay less rent..but the picture you paint does not sound like that is the case....you are months behind on utilities, car payments, etc....how much are you expecting them to drop your rent, even if they agree to do such a thing? - where else could that money come from?
You are in a very high COL area...what about moving to a cheaper area..look at what the commute for dh would be vs the reduction in COL.....chances are, you can come out way ahead by getting a train pass for him and moving out.....I live a 2 hr train ride from downtown chi-town, and have a mortgage of $550/month on a nice 3 bdrm house with garage. not that you would have to move this far away though, lol.
(BTW, our babies are born days apart, yay!!!)
You have to make more money, or spend less money, which you clearly know.
You say "both vehicles"..very obvious place to cut, even if you take a loss....second job for dh? how about you, job?

[madsommer]

Originally Posted by bobandjess99

Well..look at the cost of leaving and paying the penalty, vs staying....
..how much cheaper of a place could you realistically obtain? $2700 over the remaining 8 months left is about $330 per month...so, if you could find a place for $330 per month less, you would be breaking even..you would need to find something at least $350 or more less per month to gain any money by moving.
You are paying 1350 now? That means youd have to get something for less than a thousand a month...can you do that where you are?

You say you could be okay if you could just pay less rent..but the picture you paint does not sound like that is the case....you are months behind on utilities, car payments, etc....how much are you expecting them to drop your rent, even if they agree to do such a thing? - where else could that money come from?
You are in a very high COL area...what about moving to a cheaper area..look at what the commute for dh would be vs the reduction in COL.....chances are, you can come out way ahead by getting a train pass for him and moving out.....I live a 2 hr train ride from downtown chi-town, and have a mortgage of $550/month on a nice 3 bdrm house with garage. not that you would have to move this far away though, lol.
(BTW, our babies are born days apart, yay!!!)
You have to make more money, or spend less money, which you clearly know.
You say "both vehicles"..very obvious place to cut, even if you take a loss....second job for dh? how about you, job?

You bring up very good points. This issue now just re-emphasizes the need for an overhaul in our budget and spending practices. We were actually doing "ok", but we needed to use one of DH's paychecks to get him glasses and contacts and his medicines (a 3 month supply at the beginning of the year was $400). I just have a really hard time discussing cutting back with DH. He always thinks I am blowing things out of proportion and he won't budge. He finally just admitted last week that we would need to move from this place. DH doesn't want to commute very far (he's a 25 min drive now - very short for Chicago commuters), but even just moving 20 more miles west gives up cheaper options. I think we are going to have to sit down again tomorrow and rehash things again and maybe I can make some progess this time.