Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

I am just a little confused by your post. First, I don't think it is relevant that the person who showed you the property is not a Realtor, unless he signed the lease instead of the actual owner. Even if he did sign the lease on behalf of the owner, if he has the owner's power of attorney, then there is really nothing to attack there. Second, I am again a little unclear about how you did not notice most of the problems of which you complain. All but the windows popping out should have been obvious during an inspection of the property before you signed the lease. The proper course of conduct is to either not sign the lease until those items are fixed, or alternatively, you can sign a lease that is contingent upon the landlord making those repairs before you move in. In either of those cases, you would probably not be liable for remaining in the property. As it is, if one of you signed the lease, and accepted the property in its present condition, then you are going to be liable for breach of lease damages if you move out before the lease is up. While your offer to let him keep the rent and refrigerator is nice, the landlord probably has no obligation to let you out of the lease. Nobody can tell you for sure that you cannot terminate the lease early until and unless they fully review the actual lease.

Unless the problems with the house raise to a level of making the property inhabitable (which is a very high standard, and what you describe probably doesn't reach that level), you cannot terminate after signing the lease just because you don't like the property after a couple of weeks. I apologize if this sounds harsh, but you really should not enter into a lease unless you have some advice, and have fully satisfied yourself with the property. Now, it may be too late to do anything about it except continue to complain to the landlord demanding repairs. I would strongly suggest that you meet with a housing attorney in your area to see if there is any ability for you to terminate the lease.

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