Do I need to pay remaining months rent (Pennsylvania)?
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Do I need to pay remaining months rent (Pennsylvania)?
I live in the city of Harrisburg, which is going through a crime wave. I want to move out for safety reasons. Acc. to my lease, if I am allowed to vacate, I have to pay $250 in early termination fees and the remaining months (4 in this case) rent unless my unit is rented (unlikely, given the crime here). My brother is a LL and assures me that the LL cannot charge me for a unit I do not inhabit. Is my brother correct or my lease? (I am willing to pay the fee, but not able to pay the subsequent months’ rent, and so would be stuck here).
Asked on July 5, 2009 under Real Estate Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
B. B., Member, New Jersey Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
I'd double check on this with a Harrisburg lawyer. I don't practice in Pennsylvania, and landlord-tenant law does have some differences between states; also, Harrisburg is large enough that there might be some city ordinances that have to be considered as well, along with the detailed facts of your situation.
In most states, you would be liable for the unpaid months, if your landlord makes a "reasonable" effort to re-rent the apartment but cannot, or for the difference if the landlord gets a new tenant at a lower rent.
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