Q: Can my landlord make me pay after early termination request due to disability?

A: What you're going through sounds incredibly difficult, and it’s good that you tried to handle the lease situation by sending a disability waiver. In Georgia, leases typically don’t include an automatic right to break a lease due to disability unless it’s specifically stated. Since your lease only mentioned early termination for military leave, your landlord may still consider you responsible for the remaining rent unless the disability qualifies under broader protections.

You may have some legal protections under federal laws like the Fair Housing Act, which can sometimes require landlords to make reasonable accommodations, including early lease termination in certain disability-related situations. The key is proving that staying in the unit was no longer reasonable or safe due to your condition. The fact that your landlord didn’t respond to your waiver doesn’t automatically relieve your obligations, but it can be used to show you made a good faith effort to handle things properly.

You aren’t without options. Keep records of your disability documentation, communication attempts, and financial hardship. If the landlord pursues legal action for unpaid rent, you can present this information to explain your side. It may not erase the debt entirely, but it could impact the outcome or encourage a settlement. You’ve already taken some responsible steps—don’t give up advocating for yourself.