lost job and can't finish lease advice (Orlando: real estate, apartment)

[ccbay]

Husband lost his job about 3 months into lease and we've been using last of savings and credit cards to survive. We could have a free apartment at my Mom's (not in Fl.).

How can I legally get out? I'd like to explain to the the real estate property manager (never met owners). But I'm afraid he'll change the locks and keep our stuff (nothing good just couches, beds older TVs, but it's all we have). But the kids have all there stuff in their rooms and I don't want to devastate them.

Any advice?

[Lilybeans]

You can't legally get out of your lease.

[AONE]

The first point is it is illegal to change the locks and retain your possessions. While Florida has good landlord laws it still takes a couple months to evict someone. The process is expensive and normally not worth pursuing.I would suggest speaking to the landlord and working to get them to rent the property out as fast as possible. If it is rented you are not liable for the period they have the rent for, only the period when it isnt. If you work with them to and leave the place clean they likely will work with you. If they opt not to and you move out of state, any money they spend to go after you is a waste.
Sometimes things happen and keeping you in a lease that you can't pay for benefits no one. That is my take.... and I am not a lawyer so always consult one for legal matters... there is your standard disclaimer.
Good luck.

[ccbay]

I do plan to pay up until we have no choice and leave and plan to give them a extra months rent, he also has the deposit, plus security.

It's actually an older rental and we fixed things ourselves without ever bothering them. Door knobs that were not working, broken fan in the bathroom we replaced. The place will be much cleaner and in better working order than when we moved in.

I was afraid to give him a months notice and have him lock us out, as soon as we told him. But we are completely up to date and plan to give the extra month.

[dk22]

As a landlord in the Orlando area, think AONE's advice to you is very sound. I would understand as a landlord that hard times could afflict anyone at anytime in their lives. If you've kept the place clean and everything is up to date, there should be an amicable way to break the lease early without being penalized for more than your deposit. As for me, if the renter was clean and this happened to them, I'd let them keep the deposit and look for new renters. It is so difficult to find clean and consistent renters. I've been lucky so far that all the renters I've had so far have been wonderful.

[ConfusedInDFW]

I had a similar situation happen to me. A young family who worked in the same company both lost their jobs within one week of each other due to the business relocating to India. I gave them a two month break and added $125 per month to their rent for repayment. It took them two years to pay me back, but I didnt care because they were the kind of renters landlords dream of!

If you were renting from me, I'd just let you out and have you sign a paper stating that the house would be "show ready" upon your departure. You may want to bring this up to your Landlord. Once he/she understands that you have the willingness to pay but not the ability to pay, you actually hold the cards!

Good luck!