Apartment Lease. What if?

What does your lease say about it?

It's a standard V.I. lease. Only 2 pages not including the signature page.
Believe me I'd feel awful having to do something like that. He's a really nice guy. But truthfully what could he do? I'd be leaving 2 months early. His legal fees might exceed the lost rent. I'm not being a dick.

Have you tried to find a replacement tenant? Legally they could take you to court, but since this is start of season, it may not be a big deal if you leave early. Is he aware of your situation?

Have you tried to find a replacement tenant? Legally they could take you to court, but since this is start of season, it may not be a big deal if you leave early. Is he aware of your situation?

Even though I'm back in the states?
Yes. He's knows I'm not working.

"I'm not being a dick."

False, unless you find a viable replacement to either assume the remainder of your lease or sign a new lease.

I'm assuming there's no early termination clause in your lease. I very much doubt he'll take you to court but the best thing you can do is level with him, leave the place immaculate and ready for someone new to move into - and let him keep your security deposit to defray the expense of having to re-let the unit.

"I'm not being a dick."

False, unless you find a viable replacement to either assume the remainder of your lease or sign a new lease.

Have you ever been a landlord either here in the USVI or elsewhere?

If he knows you're not working has he asked how you're going to pay the rent? Are you current on your rent now?

"I'm not being a dick."

False, unless you find a viable replacement to either assume the remainder of your lease or sign a new lease.

Try reading the other thread on Employment Attorney before you open you cake hole.

If he knows you're not working has he asked how you're going to pay the rent? Are you current on your rent now?

I'm current. What's the alternative? Eviction?

WOW!! Look how fast everyone comes running to the landlords defense. He's been dicked by his employer people.The other thread got nearly no responses this early on.He may not have a choice in this matter.

Yes, renter and landlord, both here and in the states. Good enough, OT, to have an opinion? 😉 I have had my fair share of 'dicks' as a landlord here with the same story, occasionally add in a little extra damage, or a destroyed piece of furniture.

They fully realize the law means nothing, and that the last few months of a lease can be a free-for all for tenants, since they are moving off-island, eviction takes longer and costs more than what would be lost in rent, and a judgement in small claims court means nothing to someone who is escaping back to the states.

If you don't want to be a 'dick', beyond feeling "awful" about it, you could either find a replacement as noted - owners tend to be flexible and understanding if you make a good effort - or how about fulfilling your obligations, and paying through the end of your term? If you can't do it this very moment, how about making a credible payment plan, growing up, and sticking with it once you find employment where ever you're going? That would be very non-'dick'.

I'm current. What's the alternative? Eviction?

Eviction is a court process which is a last resort when someone has defaulted on their lease and refuses to leave the premises. It's not a step which LLs relish taking and particularly not if the tenant is someone such as yourself who plans on leaving island. A judgment can be rendered but collecting on it is particularly difficult when the defendant is thousands of miles away. Work with your landlord.

"Try reading the other thread on Employment Attorney before you open you cake hole."

Fair enough, but at what point do you pass all your problems to everyone else? Are you leasing a car that you'll just leave at the airport with the windows down? Have bills at Schneider that you'll bail on and make the rest of us pay via our taxes? Child support going to be late or not coming, etc? In reading the other thread - yes, sh!tty experiences, and sounds like you've received the short end on that one. Don't let your "fix" to that problem just turn into other peoples' problems.

Yes, renter and landlord, both here and in the states. Good enough, OT, to have an opinion? 😉 I have had my fair share of 'dicks' as a landlord here with the same story, occasionally add in a little extra damage, or a destroyed piece of furniture.

They fully realize the law means nothing, and that the last few months of a lease can be a free-for all for tenants, since they are moving off-island, eviction takes longer and costs more than what would be lost in rent, and a judgement in small claims court means nothing to someone who is escaping back to the states.

If you don't want to be a 'dick', beyond feeling "awful" about it, you could either find a replacement as noted - owners tend to be flexible and understanding if you make a good effort - or how about fulfilling your obligations, and paying through the end of your term? If you can't do it this very moment, how about making a credible payment plan, growing up, and sticking with it once you find employment where ever you're going? That would be very non-'dick'.

You're not getting it! He got screwed by his employer and now can't stay. Try reading the other thread!!!!!!

Have you mentioned to your landlord that you might have to leave if nothing else comes along quickly? The fact that you're current but unemployed may make him more willing to let you out of your lease.

Your landlord deserves fair, honest treatment as you would want if you were in his shoes. That's my opinion, anyway.

Look how fast everyone comes running to the landlords defense.

We must be reading entirely different threads. The little majority here seems to be simply answering the OP's question and suggesting how best to deal with the situation, not leaping to side with either the LL or the OP, just sticking to the facts.

Ya know what? Since it's a common practice for employers to dick people around more here than in the states, landlords better get used to it.

Ya know what? Since it's a common practice for employers to dick people around more here than in the states, landlords better get used to it.

And now you're losing credibility. I've offered my help but if you're going to retort with an attitude, go your merry way and deal with it as you deem fit.

JD, it's not easy being a landlord here, but he hasn't done anything to you, so you should at least respect him for that. What are you assuming he may try to do to you if you leave?

Before I enter a lease, I always bring up the issue of becoming unemployed. So far, in all the instances the landlord understands. Of course, I will lose the security deposit. I understand that is not your case.

Just talk to the landlord... please...

I would just speak to the landlord, who you described as a nice guy and tell him about your predicament. Give him adequate notice so that he can find a replacement tenant. You may default your deposit by leaving and breaking your lease term.

If he's a nice guy and you give him plenty of notice, are paid up to date and leave the apartment in good, clean condition and he may choose to refund your deposit.

It can't hurt to speak with him and it's the fair and honest thing to do.

I'm a landlord and I would much rather the tenant just tell me the truth. Sure I'll keep the security deposit, but I'll wish you well on your way out. I definitely wouldn't take you to court. Who needs that hassle.

Ya know what? Since it's a common practice for employers to dick people around more here than in the states, landlords better get used to it.

And now you're losing credibility. I've offered my help but if you're going to retort with an attitude, go your merry way and deal with it as you deem fit.

OT. He asked a simple question and he's being attacked by some. He's in an awkward position. Has anyone considered his feelings in all this? This must be very disappointing and frightening for him.
He simply quoted from the other thread about employers here.