Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Breach of lease due to lack of security?

I have been leasing at my current residence for over a year. I have two months left on my contract. Over the past three months there was a quadruple homicide two doors down from me, someone stole the tires and wheels off my car in my carport parking space and recently my car was stolen and left four blocks away - stripped of the wheels and back seat. The management refuses to hire security through all of this (other crimes have also been committed on the property recently). Can I break my lease due to my proven lack of security?


Asked on 5/04/02, 3:16 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Douglas A. Crowder Crowder Law Center

Re: Breach of lease due to lack of security?

Quite possibly. One of the landlord's duties is the "warranty of habitability," which includes providing a safe and tolerable living situation. The reason I'm not giving a definite answer to this question is that I'd have to talk to you to get more data.

Since you only have two months remaining on the lease, it might be easier to reach a compromise with the landlord. Have you talked to him/her about getting out of the remaining term?

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Answered on 5/04/02, 3:33 am


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