Crime ridden area (Sacramento, Oakland, Stockton: middle-class, apartment, lease)

[fiolle]

We just moved back here from Southern Cal and it seems that Stockton has become 10000% worse since we have been gone. We specifically asked about crime in the area before we took our apartment and were told at the time that the gated community made it very safe to be here.
Well since we have been here we have had shoot outs about ever 3rd day or so, the guy upstairs is growing pot, there are drug deals everywhere in the complex everyday. Just 2 days ago there was someone shot in the apt a few doors away from us, there was a shoot out two nights ago on the other side of us and today, there was another shooting.
We spoke with the landlord and were told that they 'would have to speak to their boss about it'. "it" being that we don't feel safe here and want to move out and break our lease.
It is more than dangerous here. I work late and sometime don't get home until after 1:30am and I am taking my life into my own hands coming here from work.
How do I get out of this lease? I do know that they are required to do their due diligence in finding another tenant to take over this lease but I don't think I can wait until they figure out what "due diligence" means.
They did mention that they have other apartment buildings int he area and that maybe we could transfer our lease to one of them. Does that seem like something that I can force?

[sacramento916]

Originally Posted by fiolle

We just moved back here from Southern Cal and it seems that Stockton has become 10000% worse since we have been here. We specifically asked about crime in the area before we took our apartment and were told at the time that the gated community masde it very safe to be here.
Well since we have been here we have had shoot outs about ever 3rd day or so, the guy upstairs is growing pot, there are drug deals everywhere in the complex everyday. Just 2 days ago there there someone shot in the apt a few doors away from us, there was a shoot out two nights ago and today, there was another shooting.
We spoke with the landlord and were told that they 'would have to speak to their boss about it' it being that we don't feel safe here and want to move out and break our lease.
It is more than dangerous here. I work late and sometime don't get home until after 1:30am and I am taking my life into my own hands coming here from work.
How do I get out of this lease? I do know that they are required to do their due diligence in finding another tenant to take over this lease but I don't think I can wait until they figure out what "due diligence" means.
They did mention that they have other apartment buildings int he area and that maybe we could transfer our lease to one of them. Does taht seem like something that I can force?

This is the Sacramento forum. Stockton is not part of Sacramento.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by sacramento916

This is the Sacramento forum. Stockton is not part of Sacramento.

There is no Stockton forum and people inquiring about it habitually use this forum to do so because of proximity. Folsom, Roseville, El Dorada Hills, Nevada City, etc. aren't "Sacramento" either but are routinely addressed here.

To the OP, this may help: http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/l...k/catenant.pdf

[Malloric]

LOL @ a gate making it very safe in Stockton. There's really two sides to Stockton. A good amount of north Stocton isn't all THAT bad. Boring, but not any worse than any other economically depressed valley town. The other side of Stockton is basically the bad parts of Oakland. Considering how inexpensive the "good" parts of Stockton area, I have no idea why anyone lives in the bad parts.

[KC6ZLV]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

There is no Stockton forum and people inquiring about it habitually use this forum to do so because of proximity. Folsom, Roseville, El Dorada Hills, Nevada City, etc. aren't "Sacramento" either but are routinely addressed here.

To the OP, this may help: http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/l...k/catenant.pdf

With the exception of Nevada City, those places you mentioned are in the Sacramento Metro area. Stockton is in a different metro area.

[Aquaboy]

"Brookside" is the upscale community in Stockton. There is a marina and the homes are very nice. It's somewhat pricey but thats where middle-class people live.

[junie136]

My personal opinion, why would you want to live in Stockton at all? I've heard it's the worst crime rate in CA. Who did you ask about the crime stats, I hope not the complex itself.

[junie136]

Write a letter to the management outlining what you've seen and heard with the gunshots, drug dealing, pot smoking ,etc. and tell them you do not feel that you are safe living there. It is your right to feel that you are safe in your apartment and that you are not obligated to stay there in such conditions. You might want to check out a tenants rights book. Then start looking for something else and be ready to take them to small claims court if needed. You might even get punitive damages from the judge.