Results 1 to 4 of 4
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    2

    Default Can You Break a Lease Due to Illegal Activity

    My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: California

    I am currently trying to break a lease in California. My legal reason for vacating early is illegal activity on the premises, specifically frequent drug use in and around the premises as well as gang graffiti in the building.

    How do I proceed with this? I do not feel comfortable filing complaints with my landlord about it for fear of reprisal.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Can You Break a Lease Due to Illegal Activity

    It isn't clear that the behavior at issue is something for which your landlord bears any responsibility, or would in any way relieve you from your obligations under your lease. Further, even if we assume your landlord could do something, if you can't be bothered to even ask him to try it pretty much destroys any claim you might have to get out of the lease. Your landlord isn't a psychic.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Can You Break a Lease Due to Illegal Activity

    Quote Quoting Mr. Knowitall
    View Post
    It isn't clear that the behavior at issue is something for which your landlord bears any responsibility, or would in any way relieve you from your obligations under your lease. Further, even if we assume your landlord could do something, if you can't be bothered to even ask him to try it pretty much destroys any claim you might have to get out of the lease. Your landlord isn't a psychic.
    The part about asking him seems fair. I am drafting a letter regarding this and other issues.

    How would flagrant and repeated drug use in common areas of the apartment building not be a habitability issue? It's not people doing drugs in their apartment and it's not "people." It's tenants and their guests in a common, semi-public area.

    There are other habitability issues under Civil Code §1941.1, but I am particularly interested in how to tackle this one.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    9,096

    Default Re: Can You Break a Lease Due to Illegal Activity

    When you called the police to report the drug use, what happened?

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Can I Be Sued for Breach of Contract if I Suspect Illegal Activity
    By giana83 in forum Independent Contractors
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 08-17-2009, 10:50 PM
  2. Copyright Law: Copyright of Illegal Activity
    By vhound in forum Intellectual Property
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 06-04-2009, 03:27 PM
  3. Grandparent Custody, Parent Illegal Activity
    By memawsspace in forum Child Custody, Support and Visitation
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 11-19-2008, 06:58 PM
  4. Breaking a Lease: Breaking a Lease Due to Illegal Activity
    By cygal74 in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 09-25-2008, 10:55 AM
  5. Restrictive Covenants: Does Contract I Signed With Former Employer Bar Me From Reporting Illegal Activity?
    By lifeisgood in forum Employment and Labor
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 06-12-2008, 01:13 PM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources