Bad Landlord

Hey gtmouse,
Sounds like you are having a bad rental experience. Sorry to hear that. The obvious first response is contact an attorney. I understand you don't want to pay legal fees, but there is much to be considered. Are you dealing directly with the landlord (who is the pervert), or are you dealing through a rental agency? The agency should be able to assist you, but if dealing directly with the landlord, you may need the legal system.

Your statement is a little too "blanket" to expect much help here, from us mere mortals. If you want to share more details (no names, please.....we all agree, right?), we might be able to offer more assistance.

if your landlord is harassing you (how? being creepy, sexual overtures, illegal activities?) then you should contact the department of licensing and consumer affairs to file a complaint after you have expressed your cares verbally to the landlord. i think you have to give the landlord a chance to respond.

if you feel that you are in danger, you should contact the police if there is an activity that they would sanction. otherwise, contact licensing to see what to do next.

of course (as stated by juanita), you can also contact a lawyer who is well versed in local landlord/tenant statutes for this territory.

Most leases have an early termination clause that spells out what you will be held too, regarding costs. I doubt that "being around a pervert "would qualify for a free pass to break a lease. One (meaning All) should be careful as to what is said regarding the character of an individual, certain statements can be actionable in a Civil Court of Law. I would suggest you seek Proper Legal Counsel.

What are the ramifications of breaking a lease if you do not feel safe around the perverted landlord and break a lease?

Anita has given you the best advice. Be sure you are safe and secure first. If you need protection call the police. If you need legal advice be sure to get it and follow it.

Usually when you break a lease you loose all of your deposit and are responsible for rent until it's rented again. Some leases spell out a lease breaking fee and this could make it cheaper.

But as Juanita said without more details its kinda hard to give good advice. I don't think you need a lawyer because at worst this will end up in small claims court. You just need to know your contract. Read your lease carefully.

Another easy way to get out of your lease is to find your own replacement. Find someone to take over you lease that your landlord approves of.

Finding a replacement usually does work - but if they don't feel safe there themself, why would they put someone they know in that environment?

If you are fearing for your own safety - a good lawyer will advise you on what kind of proof or evidence to accumulate both for the lease problem and any possible threatening situation you may be involved in. Depending on the imminence or severity of the safety issue --- consider leaving and solving the money issues later should they come up.

I agree with those who are saying if you don't feel safe, get out and settle the money questions later.

But be realistic. If you are going to break your lease, you'll have to have some sort of proof of the reasons. If you just leave and the landlord wants to hound you for $$ or keep your deposit or whatever, it will be your word against his and your lease.

Good luck.

If you do not feel safe, you need to find another alternative. a place to stay, maybe a friend. Or have a friend come stay with you. I would think you would need proof as to what this landlord is doing, and then i would report it. Then you would at least have something if you were to vacate. It just depends on what the landlord is doing to make you feel unsafe, you might just tell him or her,if it was just a one time thing you may have mistaken what had happened. I would certainly read my lease.

Linda,
Because with out any details its very hard to tell if this girl is real being threatened or is over reacting. Is she really felt unsafe why would anyone stay? She could be staying because she has no friends, family and no money to go else where or she could be young. I don't know because all we got was one sentence.

If her landlord is a guy and hitting on her why would a guy (replacement) feel threatened? I have no idea what to tell her other then very general advice because we know nothing of her situation really.

I looked at all of gtmouse's posts. It appears to be a couple, and they have been on island a very short time. This is their first month rental. I don't understand newbies going into a long term lease, (if that is the case) when there are short term rentals available, at competitive rates. Get to know the island and your potential landlord first!!! That is not a shameless plug for my own rentals, just good common sense.;)