Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California
I need to break my lease
I am cosigned on a 1 year lease with my boyfriend for an apartment in Sacrement, but he had to drop out of school, and can no longer live in the area. He was renting aroom in an apartment with three other roomates he didn't know, all of whom were doing drugs in the apartment, the washing machine had been broken for over three weeks even though maintenance had been notified several times by all the roomates, there was no water pressure in any of the sinks or showers, and there was a drainage problem that made the entire apartmen smell bad. Also, the complex itself was noisy, and the nighbors partied constantly. Neither of us were ever given a copy of the lease, and when he went to the office to ask for a copy, they told him he couldn't have it because the apartment manager had not signed it yet. Is there anythin we can do?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: I need to break my lease
There are several things to do here.
He is entitled to a copy of the lease ASAP, whether or not the manager had signed.
There is a guarantee of "habitability" which has been breached, based on your statements.
You need to immediately send landlord a certified letter regarding noise, washing machine, water pressure, drainage problems, etc. Tell him he has seven days to repair washer and do something about noise, and 48 hours concerning the water pressure and drainage.
Also, immediately contact the local health inspectors, and building inspectors, as the water and drainage must be repaired, or the landlord will be cited.
There is a good chance your boyfriend can break the lease and move. The fact that he dropped out, and isn't happy about roomies' drug habits is immaterial.
Please feel free to e-mail,or call, my office if you need more.
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