Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Georgia

Hi, I am a SGT in the US Army and we just came from a duty station on the west coast, and came to the Columbus GA (Fort Benning) well we found a for rent by owner and signed a contract with her, she said since she could not provide any pictures of the house that if we got there and didn't like it we could just be bound to stay for 6 months, but when we got there paid the deposit and got the keys, after we started looking around and my Wife and I noticed the guy next door had people in and out every 15-20 mins they would come in for about 1-2 mins each person then leave (so we are almost positive its drug traffic) so my wife panicked and we left and took our moving truck to a hotel by the base, and we would go back over during the day for the next 2 days to see if it was always like that and sure enough same thing, so I called her so on the 2nd or 3rd day I called the Landlord and said we just can't stay here, its not safe for our 4 kids.. And she said okay but she would not give our money back..

We gave her

$450 (to hold house for May) *That's fine if she keeps that since she did hold, but she also said she was doing repairs in this time to get ready for renters and not all where done..

$825.00 (JUNE rent) which we DID NOT even stay one night there

and a $150 pet deposit (My Pets never even went in the house just like us)

SO is there any law, that says we can break a lease within so many days and get our refund? We need the money for the other place we found..

Thank you


Asked on 6/21/11, 7:52 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Glen Ashman Ashman Law Office also dba Glen Ashman Attorney

No, when yolu sign a lease you are liable for the duration of the lease. I have never heard of anyone renting a house where they have never looked at it, but there is no exclusion on the law for bad choices.

Unless your lease contains an early termination clause you are stuck with it.

You made a second bigger mistake in relying on the lessor orally saying it was ok to not pay. She CAN sue you for the rest of the lease. If she is willing to let you out of the lease, get that IN WRITING.

Read more
Answered on 6/21/11, 8:09 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Real Estate and Real Property questions and answers in Georgia