Unemployed, found a new job in a different state

So you lost your job, forced to relocated and now the landlord is charging you huge fees to get out of your rental contract, right?

It sure makes it hard to get back on your feet when tenants are faced with these types of issues. So, is there a state or federal law that gives renters special rights in the event of unemployment or jobloss? No, there isn’t one single law on the books that protects tenants in this situation. However, there are some options for you; explained below.

Let me first explain why you can be held to your lease agreement. Often times tenants may feel like there should be a law or renting right that allows you out of a contract if a certain condition happens. The fact is that in a free country, the government can’t make special conditions for any contracts. Its really not much different than any other contract to buy something. Let’s say you bought a car from a dealer, then shortly after the purchase you lost your job. Regardless of you new financial situation, you are stuck and responsible for the car loan. Of course, you can stop making payments which eventually will have its own consequences. Rental contracts aren’t any different. Leases are regulated by contract law, thus you are bound to the terms regardless of what happens to you financially, even if you lose your job or are forced to relocate. Even though your unemployment was most likely due to something out of your control, it won’t automatically release you from a lease agreement.

What are your options? See my reply below:

OPTION 1: Early Lease Termination (Accept Terms set by Landlord / Manager)
To protect your credit from being harmed, you have the right to accept the terms set by your landlord. This may require you to pay the fees up front OR possibly allow for some type of payment plan. You can work directly with your landlord to make some type of arrangement that complies with your contractual requirement. (You may have to get creative and take out a loan or borrow money from family/ DON’T ignore it as it will end up damaging your credit report if you fail to take care of it.) Make sure the agreement is in writing with a clear definition of the terms and requirements.

OPTION 2: Get Legal Help to Negotiate Better Terms
Since you are obligated by contract, you really won’t have any success going to court. However, you could consider filing a complaint with the Rental Protection Agency. By doing so you will be assigned a professional mediator whom will contact the landlord to make more fair lease termination conditions. There’s no guarantee as to the results, but at this point; you don’t really have any real options left. A complaint will help you turn the tables on your landlord. If your landlord fails to resolve the complaint fairly, it will be a negative record against them showing unfair or unethical lease termination fees. The record will eventually get indexed by all major search engines which can greatly impact your apartment complex’s ability to fill vacancies, thus when you file a complaint with the RPA, most likely management will offer you a much better termination agreement in order to look better publicly. If your contract is with a larger apartment community, this option could be very effective. If you do go this route… when filing a complaint be sure to make your request reasonable. (after-all, you are the one in violation of the rental contract) Explain your situation and how you don’t have ability to pay the huge amounts demanded and would like to suggest a more fair and reasonable lease termination settlement.

hi my name is maribel hernandez i am 18 years old i am a senior but taking online classes and need to move out of my house i was thinking of moving to a new state chicago.. i need to find a job and i wish you guys can help tank you.. you can contact me at bonita199282@yahoo.com

@maribel hernandez. Please note that this is a rental protection agency not a job fair. Cheers!