Breaking a Lease?

I've looked over my lease and there are only a few ways to get out of it, none of which apply to me. I'm having problems with my room mates [[they are dirty, we have an illegal dog in the apartment and an extra tenant who does NOT pay rent]]. I figure the extra tenant could take over my rent if I left. There are also problems with the apartment that have not been fixed. I have another place to live, but not sure what to do / what the laws are. I don't want to go to the leasing office yet without knowing exaclty what is legal and what I should say. Thanks!

Everyone's advice has been good so far. If assigning a lease is possible, I'd like to do that. I'm scared to bring it up b/c this person as of right now, is not paying rent and the other room mates might become hostile when I say I want to move out. How should I go about telling them my idea?

speak to this illegal occupant about assigning your lease. if they agree, call your leasing office and ask if they allow lease assignments (you transfer your portion of the lease to their name) usually most places allow this. they will have to meet the building requirements to be rented to but you are at some sort of advantage in terms of transferring your lease. other than that you are screwed. u and all ur roommates would be held equally responsible for the illegal roommate and the dog. u will have to tr the assignment. other than that you are not really left with any options.

It would be great if you could just count on the other person just paying your share of the rent after you ditch them. However, the problem is if your name is on the lease agreement. More than likely, you would be on the hook for the rent or shortage. Perhaps you and the extra tenant can come to a sublease agreement where you will be legally cleared of further obligation. Also, talk to your rental office and explain the predicament, see if there are any other options.

Alright, Pump the brakes don't take off just yet. Ask yourself these questions first. Whose name is on the lease. Keep in mind whether you leave or not you signed an agreement with the apartment complex and regardless of what the "Extra" tenant does you will be held responsible as long as your name is listed. Secondly, if you are able I would try talking it over with your roomates, that way you can discuss someone else taking over your portion of the lease which requires them to pay not you. This gets you off the hook completely. Read over your lease thoroughly and just ask some probing questions to the Apartment Manager before making a final decision. Good Luck.

i would first go to the leasing office and discuss the problems you are having...always the best bet then trying to skip out..i would talk to the extra roommate about taking over your share of the rent becasue you have to move....

You forgot to say where you live. The laws are dirfferent from state to state. The first thing to do is find out you liability. Did you actually sign the lease, or just agree verbally with the one who signed? There are several ways to go. Tell them you want out, and why. If they don't agree, and I am sure that between the extra non-paying roommate and an extra dog they will put up a hassle. Tell them you are going to the office to see if you can get your name taken off the lease due to the extra roommates. I am sure they will see it your way. They don't want to have the wistle blown on them. You do have someplace to go, they don't.pp

You can sign a Ryder Lease Agreement with your roommates which legally removes your name from the lease. Then the report the crap out of them! You should hurry to remove your name because those kind of things will negatively affect your rental history.

UpDate: It can be difficult to talk to your roommates, but you should try. Your future ability to own things (like a house) is on the line. Negative rental history will haunt you for the rest of your life. Trust me I have worked at an apartment community for 3 years and seen lots of this stuff. Talk to the office folks, you would be surprised how helpful they can be.