Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Re: Breaking an apt. lease

I have not heard of the supposed "law" allowing service personnel to breach leases without liability, and cursory research in standard guides shows no such law or regulation. I can't say for certain that it doesn't exist, but it seems improbable, so my advice is to have the Navy or other party asserting that there is such a law cite it, chapter and verse, rather than making vague allusions to it.

Further complicating this particular situation is that the enlistment was made AFTER the lease was signed AND there are both a co-tenant AND multiple guarantors. It seems to me that even if the newly-minted sailor is excused, the girlfriend is still obligated and so are the guarantors.

If and when you can refer me to the specific law I would be happy to re-evaluate the situation and suggest how the law applies to each party: son, girlfriend, and guarantors. In the meanwhile, the landlord's position looks pretty good.

Re: Breaking an apt. lease

Your Grandson is probably referring to the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Releif Act (50 U.S.C. App. 500-592). Under the act active duty military personnel (and their dependents) can be relieved of liability under a lease or rental agreement under certain circumstances. Generally, girlfriends do not qualify as "dependents" covered by the statute, and leases entered into after joining the military are not covered. You can get additional information from http://www.uscg.mil/hq/mcpocg/1geninfo/sscra.htm. You can also have your Grandson speak with the Judge Advocate General's office where he is stationed to obtain more information.