Breaking a lease with in 71 hours In Missouri?

Question

I would like to break my lease, after seeing the neighborhood at night. Is is possible to get out of the lease, with in 72 hours? I'm in Missouri, and don't know if the laws change from state to state.

Answer 1

Nope. The lease is legally binding. The landlord only controls what he owns, it's up to YOU to do due diligence on the neighborhood's amenities and conditions.

Your only option is to beg or negotiate the end of the lease. Expect to pay about two months worth of rent as a penalty.

Answer 2

NOPE, you needed to thoroughly check out the area BEFORE signing on the bottom line..legally bound by your own signature. . .

READ your lease, carefully, you are BOUND

That said, you may be able to talk to LL and work something out because you haven't yet moved in. . . you will lose some money and deservedly so. . . .and LL doesn't HAVE to do this. . . .but if they can find new tenant, may charge you for lost rent, cost of ads and showings, etc.

I'd suggest telling LL that something came up, situation changed (be vague), and ask what can be worked out.  Be humble and apologetic--you are greatly inconveniencing them--and grateful for any consideration they give you as they could hold you to entire lease term.

Answer 3

Oh, I'll tell you what will do it in a NY minute.

Call and tell them that you lost your job (even better, got fired) AND offer him a token of $100 or so for "his trouble".

He'll let you out of the lease so fast!  

Yeah, it sucks, but 71 hours...he isn't out a dime and any good business person takes a list of names to call back.

Answer 4

It all depends.

If you have actually signed the lease you are bound by its terms and conditions and have to pay what ever fees it states to break it.

If you have not signed the lease yet then it is a possibility. But if you have paid any deposit to hold, then you will forfeit that money.

it is your responsibility to do that kind of search BEFORE signing or paying anything.

Answer 5

You are talking about a 3 day right of recission.  That applies to someone selling you a magazine subscription at your front door; also to high pressure sales like a health club membership.  It never applies to real estate.  Go back to the landlord and see if she has a heart. If not, buy your way out.

Answer 6

There is no 3 day or 72 hour cooling off period for leases. Once signed, the lease is legally binding.

The landlord does not have to let you out of the lease without it costing you $$$.

You have two choices in this situation:

1. Negotiate a lease buyout with the landlord. Start by offering the amount equal to 2 months rent. The landlord may require another month. If you come to an agreement, get it in writing. This way your liabilities end with the lump sum payment. Your rental and credit histories will not be affected.

2. Fail to move in. The landlord can hold you liable for the rent until either the lease expires or a replacement tenant is found. The landlord can hold you liable for any costs he incurs due to your breach, such as advertising costs, agent fees, etc.

If you do not pay the amounts above, the landlord can sue you. The judgment will include not only the costs mentioned, but court costs and accrued interest until the judgment is paid.

Your rental and credit histories will be ruined. The judgment can be renewed for up to 20 years and the landlord can garnish wages or bank accounts, place liens on (future) personal property, etc.

Future landlords will deny renting to you due to the unpaid judgment. Many employers check credit, so you can be scrutinized for having the open judgment against you. Insurance companies and other creditors pull credit and adjust your rates dependant on your credit, so you will be paying higher rates for many years.

You cannot sublet unless the landlord gives you permission to do so.

Subletting can be a bad idea, because you are essentially the subtenants landlord and remain liable to your landlord for the entire lease term. If your subtenant fails to pay rent, damage the place or default in some other way, you are responsible to evict them. You are still responsible to pay your landlord any rent or damages owed. You then have to sue your subtenant to collect from them.