Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Maryland

I signed a lease for a house at my university but have just been informed that I lost a few grants and will be unable to pay the amount for next year. Now the landlords say I can only get out of the lease if I find someone to take over my spot, but if I cannot find someone to take my spot what should I do? Not sure if this helps, but I was required to have a guarantor since I do not make enough money for me to not have one, but I never got a guarantor since I signed the lease. Thanks for any help


Asked on 5/07/12, 1:12 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Cedulie Laumann Arden Law Firm, LLC

The terms of the lease should control. If the lease does not allow an early out, then usually tenants may be required to pay for any remaining months of the lease. Maryland law requires that a landlord "mitigate" damage or attempt to re-let, but if the property sits vacant then a tenant may be required to pay rent for the rest of the lease term. Usually difficult economic circumstances do not give a legal "out" to a controlling lease. A guarantor helps the landlord as a sort of back-up payer and doesn't much affect the question of a tenant's obligations under the lease.

Naturally this post offers general legal information and doesn't substitute for legal advice about the specifics of your situation.

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Answered on 5/15/12, 8:17 am


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