Can I break my lease? (Boston: hardwood floors, sublet, apartment)

[gamsauer]

I have been living in my apartment for six months. I am ready to commit Hari-Kari. My landlords live above me and they make a lot of noise. I can never relax on the weekends because all I hear all @#$@# day long is thud, thud, thud, thud. The female landlord walks very hard on the heels of her feet. I have spoken to her about it. Of course, she was shocked and said she has never heard anyone complain before. I really am not going to make it another six months. Does anyone know if there is anything I can do to get out of this apartment before I lose my mind.

[RemiJP]

Will your landlord allow you to sublet the apartment? Meaning to allow someone else who you find to take over renting the place?

[eastcoastlady]

Sometimes you can get out of it.
I got out of a lease by agreeing to find a replacement renter myself. This was very easy to do. I put an ad on Craigslist and voila!
Another time, I got out of a lease, but I lost my security deposit. A pain- but I had to move so there was nothing I could do about it.
That said, if people noise is a big issue for you, you might think twice. Apartment living is inherently noisy and people walking around is the least of it. At least your neighbors aren't playing the drums! Maybe you should look for a quiet area where you can rent a house?

[mommytotwo]

If you do get out of it, try to get the top floor next time. If people live above you, there will almost always be noise, and nothing you can do about it.

My husband I moved into an apartment back when my son was 1 1/2 years old. The landlords had just renovated it, refinishing all the hardwood floors. Then they started bitc*ing because my son was running around too much! Try as we did, and we did try, we couldnt' get the kid to eliminate the running completely (all 20lbs of him, that was his mode of transportation) Meanwhile, the people above US walked like freaking elephants! Finally they asked us to move, which we did Thank GOD!! It was just too much stress and they really were unreasonable people. Not willing to help us out at all with the elephants upstairs but wanting us to tie our toddler down.

The point of the story is, if you are renting an apartment, there is likely to be noise (most esp. if the house is 90 years old with hardwood floors and no insulation). You might be better off next time in a complex, some of these are built out of concrete or are newer and noise control has been factored in when they were built.

About getting out of the lease, you will need to read your lease. There is seldom a way for you to get out, only for them to KICK you out. The lease generally protects the landlord IMO, not the renter, it seems.

[puffle]

Hi old friend. We got out of a lease early by finding a replacement tenant with the managements approval and once they were approved, they started a fresh lease. Good luck and definitely rent the top floor or a single level condo!

[gamsauer]

Puffle!!!! How are you? I've been meaning to email you. Maybe we can get together this weekend?

Thanks for the help on the lease. I don't mind noise. I hear other people walking around above me but it is normal walking. The female landlord above me is a spas and runs around like a freakin nut all day long. She ruins every single one of my weekends. I don't mind a little bit of running around but chill out and sit down at least for a little while.

I am going to confront my landlords on Wednesday and tell them I really need to get out of the lease and will help find a suitable replacement. Wish me luck everyone!

[mommytotwo]

Originally Posted by gamsauer

puffle!!!! How are you? I've been meaning to email you. Maybe we can get together this weekend?

Thanks for the help on the lease. I don't mind noise. I hear other people walking around above me but it is normal walking. The female landlord above me is a spas and runs around like a freakin nut all day long. She ruins every single one of my weekends. I don't mind a little bit of running around but chill out and sit down at least for a little while.

I am going to confront my landlords on wednesday and tell them i really need to get out of the lease and will help find a suitable replacement. Wish me luck everyone!

good luck!

[gamsauer]

I spoke to my landlord and he is willing to let me out of the lease provided I find a replacement. Of course, they can't understand the noise I am hearing and are quite shocked. Whatever.

Anyway, now I just need to find a place ASAP and post my current apartment on Craig's List. Aside from Craig's List and Boston.com, does anyone know of any other sites I can post my current apartment and look for a new one?

Thanks so much!!!

[puffle]

Hi gamsauer! Fab time yesterday.....Anyway...congrats on the "willingness" of the landlord. What about Wicked Local in your area or Boston as a whole? Post at your gym, market, cleaners, work? Good luck sweetie!

[FashionD]

Your landlord has a responsibility to make sure that the place you inhabit is comfortable to live in. It should be relatively low in noise, which is part of being comfortable. Talk to them about the fact that you are very sensitive to the noise above and that you may be looking to move since they aren't fulfilling the lease agreement. Tell them that you are more than willing to help find a new tenant to make the transition as easy as possible.

Good luck.