I want a backyard

May 8, 2008 11:58 AM

How can I break my apartment lease legally here in the state of Arizona?

My wife and I have realized two months into a year long lease that our apartment isn't ideal for our lifestyle. Basically, we have two dogs, we're getting two more, and we're only supposed to have one. So what are some legal ways we can break our lease in Arizona? Any input or ideas would be great! Thank you!

posted by Bageena to home & garden (8 comments total)

What about asking your landlords for permission and doing your best to find a replacement for yourselves?
posted by stewiethegreat at 12:06 PM on May 8

Seconding stewiethegreat's post.

A few years back I was 7 months in to a year lease, and then got a job offer to move halfway across the country. I sat down with my landlord and told him about the situation.

He told me that if I could find a new renter, he'd let me out of the lease. I took a ton of photos, and posted the place all over craigslist, and other apartment rental sites. I found a new renter within a week and everyone was happy.
posted by xotis at 12:13 PM on May 8

How about getting evicted for having 4 dogs instead of one? (At least it's an evictable offense in BC, I'm not sure about AZ) Or did you want a good reference from this landlord?
posted by cgg at 12:21 PM on May 8 [1 favorite]

Normally you would have to find someone to take over your lease (i.e. do a 'sublease') but that gets complicated, since you'll need to find a new place to move in to at the same time you find someone to move into your place.

Also, are the dogs the only issue? You could just ask for a waver on your dogs, for perhaps a slightly higher rent.
posted by delmoi at 12:25 PM on May 8

Well, whatever you do, don't just walk out the door. Learned that the hard way in CA. They were willing to settle for a fraction of the 7 months' rent that the place sat empty (it was a... unique... apartment), but the letters on legal letterhead and phone calls were stressful and no fun. They had no problems once a replacement was found, so I would go with the first answer.
posted by rhys at 12:50 PM on May 8

Basically, we have two dogs, we're getting two more, and we're only supposed to have one.

Did you lie about how many dogs you had in the first place? That might make it tricky or uncomfortable asking about bringing in more. It may also make it tricky or uncomfortable if the landlord has to come around for any reason.

Is not getting two more dogs until your lease is up and you can find more accomodating housing arrangements an option?

If you have to get out, then I'm going to nth subletting. I've seen enough daytime TV to know how much of a mess that can be, though.

Best of luck!
posted by owtytrof at 1:21 PM on May 8

I just did this at my apartment in NY so idk about AZ. Check the lease for anything about giving your Landlord notification of when you're moving out. For example mine was 2 months prior to when you'd actually be moving out. So then you can use those 2 months to find yourself a new apartment, find someone else to take over your lease (if your landlord isn't trying to be a prick he could just terminate the lease and then sign a new lease with the new tenant). Giving the landlord ample notification and or finding your own replacement usually makes the situation a lot less tense. Any more questions a pm or whatever works.

Good luck!
posted by Sgt.Grumbless at 1:46 PM on May 8

Step 1 is to simply talk to your landlord. Tell him your inherited/rescued 3 more dogs and know he doesn't want 4 dogs in his property, so you'd like give him notice that you are moving out. Tell him you will help pay for some ads to help him find a new tenant

See what he says. Most landlords don't want tenants who don't want to be there.
posted by Mr_Chips at 4:39 PM on May 8