Q: Seeking best course of action in attempting to leave lease where signed with roommate.Desire to leave before end of term
I am in a lease agreement where both my roommate and I have signed the lease. Living with roommate has been affecting my mental health, so I want to leave before the end of the lease term. I informed my roommate and gave her a timeline asking if it would work for her she said yes but has stated she wants no parts in finding a person to replace me and it is not her responsibility. I have been looking for people who could potentially qualify to takeover my lease (contacted 100 people), it has been difficult due to her preferences and the application requirements. For the sake of my mental health, I really cannot stay here anymore. The leasing office said for me to leave the lease and for it to go in her name only, she has to sign a roommate release forms that basically states she acknowledges that I am leaving the lease and forfeiting my responsibilities to her. She said she wont sign it unless I find a roommate. What if I cant find a roommate? cannot afford to break lease. What can I do
A:
Consider the following potential courses of action in this situation:
Negotiate with your roommate: Communicate the impact on your mental health and express your desire to leave the lease. Offer assistance in finding a new roommate and suggest a financial incentive to encourage cooperation.
Contact the landlord: Discuss your situation with the landlord, explaining your intention to leave the lease. Explore options like assigning your part of the lease to a new tenant, subletting, or terminating the lease with a penalty.
Seek mediation: Involve a neutral mediator to facilitate communication between you and your roommate, aiming for a mutually agreeable solution respecting the lease agreement.
Review the lease agreement: Examine your lease to understand tenant rights, early termination clauses, and roommate release options. This information guides your legal options and potential consequences.
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