How do I break a lease without any legal ramifications in NC?

My friend and I signed a 12 month lease which expires May 31st. We want to move to Texas and I have informally contacted the leasing office regarding this matter and the only way out of the lease is to give 30 days notice and pay a fine of a month and a half month's rent which would be around $1,100. The only security on the apartment was $100 nonrefundable so that's of no concern. My roommate wants to pick up and leave without paying the fine and I am concerned about the negative effect on my credit. My questions are how do we get out of the lease or should we just leave? And if we break the lease early how serious are the consequences? We are moving out of state and have no ties to NC whatsoever. Thanks for the suggestion!

My wife and I just went through this when we left our apt in Cary, NC. If you give 60 days notice of your intention to vacate, they cannot charge you the month or month and a half rent. We learned the hard way, and ended up paying big. If you decide to leave, make sure you do not leave ANY forwarding address with the business office. That way, if they decide to pursue you, they will not know where to look. Again, we learned the hard way. Regardless, there should be NO ramifications to your credit if you either give sufficient notice or pay the penalty. Best of luck to you in your move!

Before walking away from a lease I would confirm with an attorney or tenant advocate in North Carolina that it can be done without recourse by the landlord. It's also a good idea (if you elect to pay a penalty or "break lease" fee) to make sure you get a written release from the landlord or agent. Report It

It won't just affect your NC credit. They will report it to your nation wide credit. It will follow you for years. When you go to rent an apartment or buy a car anywhere it will be on your credit report. And your friend sounds dishonest. It is a dishonest thing to do. Are you going to do dishonest things all your life? Will you look back on this and regret this with shame? You will be sorry you did such a thing, it will follow you, all the way to Texas and where ever you end up. You will eventually have to pay it to straighten out your credit and a fine as well. But you will have a lot of explaining to do to future land lords, car dealers, friends, do you want to be a dead beat?

First of all to break a lease there is usually a fine of 1 to 2 months rent. If you just pick up and leave, the LL can file in small claims court and have the judgement added to your credit. Pay the fine and move with your 30 day notice. Be a responsible adult.

Well if you leave do not tell anyone where you are going. It probably might effect your credit, but then you will move regardless of credit. You will not be arrested. What you could have done is if you knew someone in the military you could have forged orders that you were going overseas. Then you could have broken the contract. This is nation wide and the military option worked for me when I was in the Army. I knew I could sign a nice lease and then a year later when leaving, just show the orders and no hassle. But too late for you too.

But when you come to Texas get a place ASAP. Reason is they do a credit check. Tell them you lived with your mom. Do this before the incident is report to the credit bureau. Besides, all the apartment place can do is say no.

If you plan to buy a house or something in the next 7 years, this might pose a small problem.

Maybe try a lease assignment. Find someone to take over your lease contract.

If you get off the hook by paying a fine equal to 45 days of rent, that's a bargain and you're doing the right thing. Your credit standing plays a significant role in many aspects of life now - not only with what you buy - but in some cases employers check credit and any kind of security clearance will require a reasonably clean record.

What part of a lease being a binding contract doesn't everyone else understand? It is stunning to me that Big C admits to falsifying orders (which by the way is punishable under military law) and misusing his service to perpetrate a fraud on the landlord. It gives all service members a black eye and makes it harder for those who get legitimate orders to get a break. I'm a veteran and the phrase is "Duty, HONOR, Country..." The cautious landlord nowadays verifies orders with a commander or personnel office because there are folks like Big C who abuse the system.

Failing to leave a forwarding address, as another responder has suggested - doesn't work. Only a rookie wouldn't be able to track you to your new address...

Instead of trying to teach people how to swindle and cheat their landlord - how about a little fair play, living up to your agreements and having some character? ...or is screwing people over okay as long as you can get away with it?

what part of N.C and is it in nice area single mom with 7yr old. i will be glad 2 sublease fr u i I am going back home in june currently living with someone I dont really want 2 be with, but contributing my share. I dont want to lease because it's for a yr and i just want a few month's until my son gets out of school. call me 4437445748 if this will help. Please listen to everyone don't screw your credit up u will need another apt,house eventually. Thats exactly why I want do a year lease, and places I foud for 6mths are through the roof