Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Tennessee

Good afternoon,

I live in the state of Tennessee and my apartment was burglerized in December of last year I filed a report and the police told me the same night that by law using that report I can break the lease without any repercusions. Now the apartment place is going through a collection agency and trying to put this on my credit, was the officer wrong or is there a law that states that I can break the lease if I don't feel safe in an appartment. I informed the Leasing Manager the day after the burglery about what happened and that I palnned to move and they had no issue with it. Two weeks after I moved out they decided to tell me that I needed to give them a two month notice before I can move out and now they are pursuing two month rent charges.

The police also made a statement the night of thata this is almost a nightly occurance in the apartment complex or burgleries or shootings, they also stated that they suspected the maintenance employees have something to do with this especialy since there was no sign of forcible entry and they only took items that were worth decent money without desturbing anything else in the house.


Asked on 5/08/13, 10:56 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
John Barney Barney Law Firm

I don't think that the one instance of a burglary would void your lease. One instance can happen anywhere. However, if you were able to show that you came to be aware of several other instances, I think you would have a good argument that you do not owe the rent. If they sue you for it, they will likely file suit in General Sessions Court.

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Answered on 5/21/13, 9:55 am


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