[JohnBlu5]

Myself and 3 others are together on a lease for a 4 bedroom house in Tallahassee, FL. Within the past month, there was an attempt to break into our house (evidence of such at the back door), my roommate's care was stolen from right in our driveway, and just a couple days ago, our house was broken into and robbed while nobody was there. Is a concern for personal safety and our possessions enough legal reason to pursue trying to break our lease? Would we even have the grounds to do so?

Also, we have police reports filed for the last 2 incidents (the car and the robbery)

[Lilybeans]

Originally Posted by JohnBlu5

Myself and 3 others are together on a lease for a 4 bedroom house in Tallahassee, FL. Within the past month, there was an attempt to break into our house (evidence of such at the back door), my roommate's care was stolen from right in our driveway, and just a couple days ago, our house was broken into and robbed while nobody was there. Is a concern for personal safety and our possessions enough legal reason to pursue trying to break our lease? Would we even have the grounds to do so?

Also, we have police reports filed for the last 2 incidents (the car and the robbery)

No. It would be a reason to get insurance. You made the bargain. You did do your research before you signed the lease, didn't you?

[JohnBlu5]

Originally Posted by Lilybeans

No. It would be a reason to get insurance. You made the bargain. You did do your research before you signed the lease, didn't you?

Somewhat...its not necessarily a BAD area...Its just happened repetitive times...There's no law or anything like that, which says something like if you are a victim of a crime in your home and no longer feel safe or secure, than you're allowed to get out of your lease? What if somebody was home when it occurred and was hurt or killed? Its still not the landlord fault, what's the real difference?

[Crazy G]

A lease is a 'formal' contract...
You can't just break it..'unilaterally'...

Go to your landlord, and try to negotiate a termination...You'll probably end up paying him money to agree to break the lease

"IF" you break the lease, the landlord can take you to court, and get a judgement against you, which is good for 21 years....and shows up on your credit history....

YOU DO HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR """"YOUR""" ACTIONS, AND NOT BLAME SOMEONE ELSE, FOR WHY YOU WANT TO MOVE!!!!

[Lilybeans]

Originally Posted by JohnBlu5

Somewhat...its not necessarily a BAD area...Its just happened repetitive times...There's no law or anything like that, which says something like if you are a victim of a crime in your home and no longer feel safe or secure, than you're allowed to get out of your lease?

No. No such law.

What if somebody was home when it occurred and was hurt or killed? Its still not the landlord fault, what's the real difference?

Nope. What do the police say? Do they have a suspect? Does your roomate have a stalker?

[Go4It!]

Landlord is only required to provide the necessary locks on the doors. He cannot influence the outside environment. Now, if your safety is threatened by another roommate then that is another situation. If you feel unsafe to be around a roommate and can prove a dangerous situation you can leave. Crime in the area is not a justifiable reason to break the lease. Good luck and stay safe. Maybe pick a fight with a roommate.

[TampaKaren]

You may need an attorney to interpret the law, but everyone has rights. You can read the Florida landlord tenant act here --> Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : flsenate.gov.

[Retiredcoach]

Only an attorney would be able ascertain whether there might be potential loopholes or the grounds for lease termination. As a landlord, I have my leases prepared by my attorney to protect my interests in my property. If your lease is anything like the lease devised by my attorney, your chances of successfully challenging the lease (without the court ruling in your favor) would be virtually nil. The long and short of your situation is that the associated court costs and legal fees will probably exceed the cumulative rent owed... even in the remote chance of that you win. Your best (and probable lone feasible option) would be to appeal to your landlord for lease termination. It will be at the landlord's discretion for the price that you must pay.

[JohnBlu5]

Originally Posted by Go4It!

Landlord is only required to provide the necessary locks on the doors. He cannot influence the outside environment. Now, if your safety is threatened by another roommate then that is another situation. If you feel unsafe to be around a roommate and can prove a dangerous situation you can leave. Crime in the area is not a justifiable reason to break the lease. Good luck and stay safe. Maybe pick a fight with a roommate.

Understand crime in the area, but 3 direct crimes on our home??

[Lilybeans]

Three crimes on your home is more than just random, don't you think?