Legal Question in Consumer Law in Nebraska

Disclosure of criminal activity BEFORE lease was signed

If you sign a lease for an apartment, later find out that there were burglaries within the past 2 months, the landlord didn't disclose this, can you break your lease? My friend doesn't feel safe and was not told about this before she signed the lease. Isn't this considered deceptrive trade practices because it was information withheld thus not being able to make her decision fully informed? She doesn't feel safe and is trying to get out of her lease and they are telling her she can't break her lease. Thanks for any help!


Asked on 3/10/08, 9:04 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Duke Drouillard Drouillard Law, LLC

Re: Disclosure of criminal activity BEFORE lease was signed

She is probably stuck with the lease. Disclosure of defects may be required if they are material, known to the landlord, and not readily discoverable by prospective tenant. If she sues landlord, she will need to prove each element; not an easy task, but possible depending on the facts you haven't provided. She needs to decide whether it is worth paying an attorney to try to get her out of the lease. It might be negotiated without ever going to court.

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Answered on 3/10/08, 10:19 pm


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