Q: I've been paying my apt rent through COVID. Can I terminate mid-contract and move out without losing money and credit?
I live in a residential apartment complex in Los Angeles. I've never had a late payment, despite COVID. Although, due to COVID all the amenities in this complex have been shut down (I believe my rent includes the cost of these amenities). Also, the general safety-level of the overall neighborhood has become a concern these past few months. My current lease agreement ends in December 2020, but I'd like to move out at the end of this month (September 2020). I'm definitely not looking to avoid paying rent or anything like that, and I actually like management here, as they've been nice since day-1. I'd just like to terminate the 15-month rental contract now (which would make it 12 months) in order to move out of the neighborhood, without losing my deposit or impacting my credit. Can this be done with the current COVID laws in place?
A: No, the COVID-19 related legal changes do not allow cancellation of a lease under the circumstances you describe.
1 user found this answer helpful
A:
While you don't have any legal authorization to do what you suggest, here are some thoughts: 1. If the complex stopped providing amenities (gym, pool, cable, etc.) while continuing to charge you full rent, you are probably entitled to a rent rebate because they did not provide all the amenities as represented when you entered into the agreement; 2. You can negotiate any early termination date that is mutually agreeable- in that regard, getting an early termination in exchange for waiving any claim that you are entitled to a rent rebate might be a workable solution.
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1 user found this answer helpful
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