HousingJul 12, 2019
UbergRtV35

Stuck In Lease Can’t Afford

We entered into a one year rental lease on verbal telling by property manager that we could add someone to the lease later if we wanted. This is what we did at our previously home. Gives us flexibility to bring in a roommate of our choosing. We moved in, unpacked and settled in. Then we searched for perfect person to rent the in-law. When we told the property manager, he now says sorry can’t do. Owner said no because subletting is not covered by his insurance and he won’t agree to add them to lease agreement. The monthly payment on our own is over our budget. Neighbors are good friends with the owner so can’t do this under the radar and definitely can’t Airbnb or do short terms. Any other suggestions? TC 250k Edit: the lease says no subleasing without owners approval and we went by what property manager said. But yea lesson learned, we should have gotten the ok in writing. Moving is extremely stressful and more expensive so trying to avoid the option of breaking lease and moving :(

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Nopee Jul 12, 2019

Just break the lease (by paying the penalty) and get out of it?

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h7j8 Jul 12, 2019

If you threaten to break the lease they might change their tune. But you really gotta get that stuff in writing

Facebook public2 Jul 12, 2019

Lease dictates the show so read and see if you can pay to break it or potentially negate to start a new lease with more people.

Oath Atinlay2 Jul 12, 2019

Don’t buy stuff you can’t afford!

Facebook vDqN33 Jul 12, 2019

IANAL If you’re in California, your liability is limited to the loss suffered by the landlord if you break your lease early. So if you can find someone to take over your lease or they can find someone to replace you, you would just be responsible for any gaps in rent or advertising costs.

Airbnb AirEvrywhr Jul 15, 2019

This ^. As long as you can find someone to take over your lease (post it on Craigslist , your company board etc and give a discount to make it appealing ), they will allow it. If not, you can try Airbnb and that would cover more than you would hope. If renter doesn’t allow Airbnb , have them evict you as that what you anyways want without any penalty.

Akuna Capital 3-SAT Jul 12, 2019

What if offer to buy your own insurance?

Uber gRtV35 OP Jul 12, 2019

We already have our own renters insurance. Do you know of any other insurance we could get that could alleviate any concerns?

Twitch d mifflin Jul 12, 2019

Ask to speak directly to the owner and tell the owner what happened. Plea your case and don’t let them know you work at Uber.

Google NSFW4 Jul 12, 2019

Just stop paying rent. They'll negotiate real fast. Will take a long time to evict you

Uber himu00 Jul 12, 2019

I’m not a lawyer and you shouldn’t listen to me but this is the best advice

Facebook babymetal Jul 13, 2019

They can also find a debt collection company and your credit score will drop ~100 points.

ezCater wobbl Jul 12, 2019

If you are in CA, many cities in the Bay Area have laws on the books that override lease clauses & give you the right to sublet (at least in roommate situations). Look into subletting laws for whatever city you are in. As an example, in SF a landlord cannot refuse a reasonable request to sublet and cannot evict you if you choose to sublet, regardless of what your lease says.