Breaking A Lease Agreement - California
I have a quick question. I have a friend who offered a better job in a different city, which he accepted.
The problem is that he had just signed his new lease (apartment) in April. Obviously, he did not anticipate this turn of events. He went to the leasing office and explained the situation to the manager.
The manager was unsympathetic and basically told him that he would not release him from his lease. There was no liquidated damages clause in his lease--rather, just a reference to current CA civil code or something (he wasnt too specific).
Needing to move quickly, he basically vacated the apartment, leaving the keys with the leasing office.
Now that this is done, I was curious what liability he now holds in breaking the lease. Most lease agreements I have read denote penalty for breaking the lease.
Also, was there anything that he could have done differently in light of the manager's refusal to work with him?
Thanks!
Pearly is absolutely right. However, practically, its not cost-effective to chase a tenant in this situation. Your friend is pretty much off the hook except for a possible ding on his credit report.
Or may be not ...
I know of situations that after the landlord wins in court and receives a judgement ... then interest starts adding up.
The management company referred it to a collection agency which hunts down the person in the new location of work.
With approximately 8% interest adding up ... $1,700 amount in about 3 years with interest and other costs went up to around $,5000 final settlement in court plus attorney costs.
The collection money gets to keep 60-75% what is collected. Just another way to make a living.
Cheryl Lopez
[ Edited by cheryllopez on Date 07/27/2004 ][ Edited by cheryllopez on Date 07/27/2004 ]